Wildlife project helpers praised
Wednesday 14th October 2009, 8:12AM BST.
Work to restore a beauty spot in Shropshire to a heathland buzzing with wildlife has been given a boost after a 15-strong army of helpers from RAF Shawbury attended a volunteering weekend.
The air traffic control officers and trainees from the airbase went to Prees Heath Common Reserve, near Whitchurch, to help conservationists who are restoring the site.
Bosses at Butterfly Conservation, which is behind the heathland restoration project, have hailed the weekend project as a huge success.
The aim of the project is to turn former arable land back into lowland heath.
Stephen Lewis, Butterfly Conservation warden at the site, said: “The group planted 5,000 bell heather plug plants supplied by Forestart of Hadnall in an area in front of the old airfield hangars.
“The following day they hand-harvested bell heather seed from the old airfield runway and broadcast this on the adjacent former potato field.
“Everyone worked hard and thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.
“And they made a major contribution to the restoration of the heath,” added Mr Lewis.
He said that the project was progressing well, with thousands of common heather plants already emerging less than two years after seeding.
Anyone who would like to get involved in future volunteering events at the reserve can call Stephen Lewis on 07900 886809.
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