Conservation
on the Continent
Kentish Stour Countryside Project volunteers have recently returned from a
weekend foray to Nord
Pas de Calais
where they worked alongside members of the French environmental
conservation group “Les Blongios”.
This area of
France
, once attached to
England
, formed an extensive chalk downland landscape rich with wildflowers and
many orchid species. Now separated by the English Channel its identity
remains true to its origins as the continuation of the
North Downs
.
Volunteers
worked extremely hard on two chalk downland restoration projects near the
villages of Affringues and Audrehem. Large
ash trees and dense pockets of blackthorn scrub were removed to allow
light back down on to the downland soil enabling the many delicate and
aromatic chalk downland species to recolonise the slopes.
The volunteers were rewarded with a guided walk of the two sites, each of
these offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside, and some of
the best French hospitality on the Saturday evening.
Craig Edwards, Assistant Project Officer for the Kentish Stour Countryside
Project says “The trip was a great success as we strengthened our
relationship with Les Blongios and had two amazing days working on
important wildlife sites. The volunteers evidently enjoyed themselves as
they are already asking when the next trip is!”
The trip was part of an exchange programme with “Les Blongios” which
will see the French travel to
Kent
over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd March to help
plant a hedge near Hastingleigh.
If
you would like to get involved with this or any other practical
conservation task which the Kentish Stour Countryside organise, please contact
us.
