Bracken Spraying To Protect Heathland
| Published: 26th August 2007 21:08 |
Restoration work to clear bracken and Japanese knotweed from several heathland sites across Lichfield District will be taking place during late August to early September. Areas being sprayed include Gentleshaw Common SSSI, Muckley Corner Common, and Pipehill Heathland Common.
Rare heathland plants such as heather, bilberry and cowberry are becoming threatened on the sites because of the vigorous growth of bracken. Japanese knotweed is a particularly invasive plant, and while there are only isolated patches on the sites at the moment, if left unmanaged it could spread quickly.
Councillor Neil Roberts, Cabinet Member for Development Services, said: "We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to anyone who may be inconvenienced because of the work. Your patience is much appreciated. It is really important that we keep the bracken under control, because heathland supports a huge variety of nature including many rare species. Animals such as the Woodlark, Nightjar, solitary bees and wasps will benefit from the careful management of our sites."
The national Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage Programme and Defra's Environmental Stewardship Scheme are funding the work as part of heathland restoration projects that are taking place throughout Lichfield District.
For more information about the heathland project, please contact Tamara Kabat, Biodiversity Officer, on 01543 308186, or Justine Lloyd, Countryside Officer, on 01543 308164.
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