A group of about 15 keen volunteers joined representatives of Norfolk Wildlife Trust on Monday morning to start planning how the new managed wildlife area, which is to be created as part of the improvements to facilities around Lynnsport, will be enhanced and maintained.
The 2.6 ha site is currently made up of scrub, grassland and some woodland, along with a marshy area containing wetland plants surrounded by dense thicket and less dense bramble.
Mark Webster of Norfolk Wildlife Trust explained: “The mixed habitats on this site are what make it so valuable from a wildlife perspective. However, if we don’t have a proper management plan and volunteers to implement it, then these special habitats will be lost as the area will gradually become more overgrown with scrub, shading out the more interesting plant species.
"Throughout this project we also want to find ways to encourage public access to the site so that it can be enjoyed for many generations. We will be creating linked pathways through the site, better access, and information boards.”
The first workshop focussed on exploring the site to identify access routes, undertaking litter picking and planning the future work programme. The next two sessions will be very hands on with Norfolk Wildlife Trust providing guidance on a series of practical conservation tasks including building steps to improve access, maintaining cleared pathways and carrying out flower surveys. Towards the end of the year, when the summer season is over, some of the hawthorn which dominates the area will be cut back and some small areas of dense scrub cleared.
Volunteers are welcome to join the next sessions which take place on 1 June and 22 June at 10.30am at Lynnsport (meet at the River Lane Car Park, via Beulah Street). All equipment is provided and no experience is necessary. Just turn up, wear suitable clothing and footwear and be prepared to get dirty.
As part of the overall Management Plan a new name is to be chosen for the site and site entrance markers will be installed along with an information board, to encourage the use and enjoyment of this natural area. Volunteers will be sought to undertake regular tasks to ensure that this green space is managed effectively in the future.
Cllr Nick Daubney, Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, said: “I am really pleased that Norfolk Wildlife Trust are helping us with this project and I hope that local people will be keen to get involved in helping to enhance this space. We’ve had an excellent response to the projects in Kettlewell Lane and I hope we can repeat that success here.”
Read more about NWT's activities in the Gaywood Valley Living Landscape