Greengrid Taskforce dips into pond!
The Greengrid Taskforce were out enjoying the August sunshine at Chalkwell Park, Southend last week.
The task for the day was to survey the pond in the nature conservation garden. Well - we'll use any excuse for pond dipping!
The day was a chance for volunteers to try something different and to see how many creatures benefit from all the practical conservation work that we do.
Our pond dipping efforts turned up pond and rams horn snails, leeches, pond skaters, water boatmen, water mites, a bivalve, midge and mosquito larvae and one frog!
Footpath Fever bursting out all over with the Greengrid Taskforce!
The Greengrid Taskforce, the conservation volunteer group run by Groundwork South Essex were out in the rain putting the finishing touches to a new footpath and steps at Doggett's Wildlife Area in Rochford.
We've been visiting the site all through the Spring and Summer and its been great to have an ongoing project like this to work on.
Volunteer Stories from the Greengrid Taskforce
We have another guest blogger contributing this week. This time regular Greengrid Taskforce volunteer Sharon Cattermole tells us about her experiences as a conservation volunteer...
Is it a Mell or a Maul?
The first Greengrid Taskforce volunteer training course took place last week. The one-day course was called 'Tool Use & Maintenance' and took place at the Groundwork South Essex offices in Benfleet.
The course was timely as it followed a task day where there was some dispute over the name of a tool. We were installing dog bins at Barling Magna Millenium Wildlife Park last week, and we were hammering them in with a plastic-handled tool with a heavy metal head.
Flounder found in Thurrock by Greengrid Taskforce!
The Greengrid Taskforce had a first attempt at a river clearance at the Hassenbrook river in Stanford-le-Hope last week.
It was good fun getting the wellies on and climbing into the river! We pulled out a whole range of litter - traffic cones, car batteries and endless crisp packets! However we did have the pleasure of spotting a flounder on the river bed - an unsual sight for a river that size. So apart from the mosquito bites it was a good day!
Greengrid Taskforce volunteers enjoy the sunshine in Rochford!
The blog is back!
The blog may have been quiet recently, but the Greengrid Taskforce hasn't been! We've been out sprucing up Kent View and Gales Corner in Vange, Basildon, as well as weed pulling at Belton Hills in Southend.
And of course there's been all the joys of being a conservation volunteer in Spring - hayfever, insect bites, nettle stings, sunburn, rain showers - the list just goes on and on...
But of course we've also had some great weather - a pay off for all those cold winter days!
Greengrid Taskforce Tackles Wat Tyler!
The Greengrid Taskforce enjoyed our first task day at Wat Tyler Country Park.
We were busy clearing scrub from an area that will be flooded to allow more space for wading birds.
We all had a good day - even after dressing for the cold weather only to be met with blazing sunshine!
Wildlife Gardening with the Greengrid Taskforce!
The Greengrid Taskforce were out enjoying the sunshine at Chalkwell Park on Wednesday 2nd April. We are working with Southend Council to do some work on the nature conservation garden in the park, next to the old environment centre.
As the garden is designed to appeal to wildlife, it was good to see so much of it about. Volunteers spotted frogs, bees and a robin amongst others.
We'll be heading back to the park soon, so check out our task diary for the latest dates!
Greengrid Taskforce expands into Rochford!
Greengrid Taskforce volunteers enjoyed their first task day in Rochford, as they help to do some work at Doggett's Wildlife Area.
This popular local site is managed by Rochford Parish Council and relies on volunteers such as the South East Essex Conservation Volunteers to maintain it.
The Greengrid Taskforce had a busy day there clearing up some of the storm damage from all those gale-force winds, and clearing the footpath through the woodland area.
We'll be going back there again, so if you're interested, why not come along and join in?!
The Greengrid Taskforce Faces All Weather!
The Greengrid Taskforce has been all over during February and March, facing the cold and wind, sunshine and showers.
Our recent task days have taken us to the West Wood in Hadleigh, Kent View Recreation Ground in Basildon, Belton Hills Nature Reserve in Southend and the Seafront Gardens on Canvey Island.
Our volunteers have been gardening, scrub-bashing, coppicing and litter picking with a vengence!