Page 58 - br-dec-2022

December 2022 December 2022

This past month has also reality depends greatly on the direction of

seen the start up of our the wind and tide. “That was 20 minutes
volunteer work parties down and only 15 back” I heard on this
again. As a Rewilding occasion. This is the thing about swimming
site, we don’t have a in the sea, every swim is different and a
huge amount of new experience. You cannot bottle it and
practical work to do, sell it. It is just there, free for everyone.
but there is always the There is no local authority dictating when
odd job here and there you can swim, no health and safety with
that crops up and risk assessments, normal operating
needs a team of procedures and emergency action plans.
enthusiastic volunteers We don’t take unnecessary risks but we
to get stuck into! Our just do it.
first task this Winter was
hand pulling the huge Back at the chalet,
amount of Buddleia saplings that have cropped up in a number of fields. we emerged from the
sea one by one,
It was a debate for us at Woodbury as to whether we should intervene when we sometimes in pairs. It is
started seeing it pop-up, but a bit of research convinced us it was the best way always a wonderful
forward. Although it is rightly famed for being an excellent plant for invertebrates, feeling; a good swim
it is a non-native in this country and doesn’t get grazed by any livestock we’re followed by a quick
likely to have on site. I believe we would have ended up with a Buddleia forest rub down and
across much of the site, outcompeting and shading out many native species, change. It was time
stopping them from growing. With all this in mind, a group of 10 volunteers braved for a chat and to
the incoming rain and wind for a half-day of pulling across two fields, clearing the discuss the events of
majority of saplings. the weekend or
beyond. Every sinew in me tingled, my world felt good with every pressure and
If you would like to know more about Wild Woodbury, or have any other strain behind me for the time being.
questions, please do get in touch with me, Seb, at
shaggett@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk. “Anyone for breakfast?” Did I hear someone mention food? I am always starving
after a swim and this morning was no exception. Now this rounded off another
perfect start to my weekend....

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