Our Coast, Our Sea - First Ashington Scouts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust

4 November 2009

A group of scouts from Ashington went back to nature last weekend with a little help from Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

The First Ashington Scouts, accompanied by Scout Leader Arlene Watson and Alex Lister, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Estates Officer, camped overnight at the Trust’s East Chevington nature reserve before spending a whole day tirelessly undertaking two important practical conservation tasks on the site. Group members are working towards their Global Conservation badge so their work on the reserve will not go un-rewarded.

The mixed group, all aged between 10 – 14 years of age, helped to fell a number of pine trees which had been planted as a nursery crop 20 years ago to provide shelter to young broad leaf trees which were planted at the same time. Now that the broad leaf trees are growing, the pines need to be pruned to allow them space to grow.

The scout group then moved on to tree coppicing which is a traditional method of woodland management in which young tree stems are repeatedly cut down near to ground level to encourage re-growth.

The wildlife charity is in the process of developing a Forest Schools Project and the young trees at East Chevington will ensure a supply of timber when the project gets under way.

Alex Lister, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Estates Officer said: “Coppicing and felling trees is not an easy job. I was very impressed with how hard the scouts worked during their day
on the reserve. In years to come, they will be able to return
to the site and see the fruits of their labours.”

Scout Leader Arlene Watson said: “Everyone had a tremendous time during their time on the reserve and, with Alex’s help they came to understand why this work was essential as well as having the fun of chopping down a tree – which they wouldn’t normally get the chance to do. They have already asked when they can go back so it looks like we’ll be getting in touch with Alex again soon.”