NRN and Long Mead Foundation have leased 4ha of monoculture willow coppice next to the Neyotts community meadows by Eynsham Lock.
We plan to turn it into a species-rich wet woodland, which \;is one of the UK's rarest habitats (alongside our rare floodplain meadows). Apart from its benefits for a whole host of invertebrates, mammals, reptiles and birds, it is hugely important for us humans in this period of climate change. It not only provides an important means of carbon sequestration but equally important with our increased rainfall, it plays a vital, effective, cost-efficient and eco-friendly role in natural flood management. It does this by slowing and absorbing flood water as it flows across the floodplain. \;Wet woodland species include Bay willow, Alder, White Birch, Grey willow, Black poplar (and Oak on the higher ground) among others. We are planning to take cuttings and to gather most of these tree seeds locally. The Beavers have already offered their help!
We will leave some of the willow coppice for use in hedge-laying and restoring the river banks in the floodplain meadows that we have leased. For the rest, we have been trialing, the least invasive and cheapest way of removing the stumps left by our predecessors. Despite much scepticism in some quarters, we have established that putting black compost bags over the top and tying them with string kills them off in 4 months.
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We are also planning to create a living library of extremely rare local native black poplar within the wet woodland. This will form a breeding population of male and female trees to maximise the gene pool and make the species resilient again, at the same time as instantly increasing the environmental value of the site. \;
Local expert Anna Rowlands eyeing up the Black Poplar at the Wharf Stream Willow Coppice - Photo Catriona Bass
Once established, the project will seek to re-create the native understorey and improve the habitat for birds and mammals by creating artificial habitats such as otter holts and bird boxes. \;
Join us all as we continue work to clear areas of the existing monoculture, alongside partners from Oxford Conservation Volunteers. \;
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For those who prefer their wildflowers we will also being continuing planting out our hand propagated plants, either in the adjacent meadow or in Swinford Meadows depending on whether the soil has rehydrated sufficiently. \;
Please dress suitably in outdoor clothing and bring your own drinks. There will be cake!
Gardening gloves and boots or wellies are recommended. Please bring secateurs or loppers if you have them. \;