Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
For Plastic Free July, there is no better time to announce our position statement on plastic tree guards. As we become ever more aware of the problems with plastic pollution in our oceans, we look at how we can make positive changes, starting on land. Essex Wildlife Trust is removing plastic tree guards from reserves, recycling those that we can, and trialling new methods of tree planting, plastic free.
Tree guard recycle point at Abberton
Abberton volunteers - tree guard champions - retrieving plastic tree guards
Cardboard tree guards at Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park
With the help of Epping Forest Conservation volunteers, and Essex Wildlife Trust volunteers, the teams worked to help protect vulnerable saltmarsh habitat.
Saltmarsh restoration with Epping Forest Conservation volunteers.
Installing 150 bundles of sweet chestnut brash, held in place by chestnut stakes, provides a barrier to coastal erosion and allows sediment to build up. Saltmarsh plants can thrive on this habitat, absorbing carbon and helping us to fight climate change.
Essex Wildlife Trust is working hard to conserve saltmarsh habitat along the Blackwater and Colne estuaries, with the help of saltmarsh 'sausages'.
We are pleased to announce that Spains Hall Estate’s beaver project has won the CIEEM Best Practice: Small Scale Conservation Award, with Essex Wildlife Trust listed as a key partner.
CIEEM winners of 'Best Practice: Small-scale nature conservation' 2022
We have assisted in the planning and delivery of this project, in the hopes of informing future projects with beavers.
Spains Hall has recently announced three new additions to the beaver family. With sightings of two little kits, there are now 9 beavers residing at Spains Hall Estate, and we look forward to seeing how the latest family members settle in.
Beaver kits at Spains Hall Estate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AU1qqAJuJc)
Beaver kits at Spains Hall Estate - Spains Hall Estate (Youtube)
As part of the Essex Native Oyster Restoration Initiative (ENORI), we have been working with our partners to deploy cultch (a mixture of stone and shell) to the Blackwater Estuary. This year, we have deployed 900m3 which will restore around 7,200m2 of seabed, thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Cultch deployment in the Blackwater Estuary - Jim Pullen
Native oyster larvae will only settle on rough surfaces which is limited in muddy estuaries. To help increase the oyster population, this cultch will form a rough layer to help young oysters grow and recover.
Oysters are ecosystem engineers. Learn more about how we are working to protect them on our webpage:
Our conservation projects would not be possible without your support. Become a member with Essex Wildlife Trust today, and help us make conservation happen.
