Category: Events

Talk: “The Changing Wildlife & Fauna of Sheffield Area Woods”

Talk: “The Changing Wildlife & Fauna of Sheffield Area Woods” by Bob Croxton.

Date: Tuesday 21st August.
Time: 2.15pm at the Discovery Centre, Ecclesall Woods.

Friends of Ecclesall Woods have arranged a public talk which should be of particular interest to those who want to learn more about ecology in Sheffield’s woodlands.

Bob has been taking photos in certain areas on a regular basis for many years and has observed the changes that take place when more dominant species move in. Are brambles and holly more of a threat to our bluebells than any invasion by the Spanish variety? Come and see Bob’s photos showing changes in the incidence of bluebells and many other species as well.

Bob is an active member of the Sorby Society and has contributed to the recent Sheffield State of Nature report published by the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust.

 

Justified and Ancient: the Value of Trees in Cities

“Justified and Ancient- the Value of Trees in CitiesOn 23rd June 2018 I will be delivering a short talk on the subject of street trees as part of this year’s International Tree Foundation event taking place in Sheffield.

Myself and others will be on hand to answer your questions as part of the panel.  Tickets are limited – get your free ticket here.

Spring in the Woods walks: 20th May 2018

“Cherry and bluebells

Two walks – 10.30am & 2.30pm

This year’s Spring in the Woods event is taking place at Ecclesall Woods, Sheffield, on Sunday 20th May.  Sheffield Woodland Connections will once again be running a stall there and leading two interpretative walks around the woods.

“Deschampsia and PolytrichumJoin us as we take a closer look at the trees and discover the late spring flowers blooming in South Yorkshire’s largest ancient woodland.

The walks are free and will be approximately 90 minutes long. We will meet at our stall in the Discovery Centre 10 minutes before the stated walk time.

“Opposite-leaved golden saxifrageBooking is recommended as the numbers are limited to 25 people and our last walk proved to be really popular. Please remember to state whether you wish to attend the morning or afternoon walk when booking.

Click here for more information about the project.

Photography workshop with Friends of Gillfield Wood on 12th April

This Easter holiday take to look at Gillfield Wood, in Totley, through the lens of your camera focusing on big trees, quarries, footbridges, bluebells and other spring flowers. Fran Halsall will be providing instruction to help you get that perfect shot.

“Tree and woodland photography workshopTwo sessions will run; 10am to 12:30pm looking at camera technique, and 1pm to 3:30pm considering composition and lighting. Limited places are available so advance booking is essential – please register with Paul: paulatfogw@gmail.com

A small charge of £5 per individual (£3 for members of FoGW) will be collected on the day. Please bring a packed lunch if you intend to stay the whole day.

Check that your own insurance covers your camera, bring an extra battery and any other equipment you might need.

Meet: bottom of Totley Hall Lane at 9:45am.

Planting disease-resistant elms

“planting disease-resistant elmsA national trial has been launched to help find disease-resistant elms that will be able to survive future outbreaks of Dutch Elm Disease.  Sheffield’s Greno Woods nature reserve was chosen as one of the test sites and the planting of 24 saplings took place this morning with the help of the Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust and a group of volunteers.

The project is led by Dr David Herling, a leading expert on elms, with the aim of establishing eight experimental plantations across the UK in a variety of climate and soil conditions.  Greno Woods is the latest site to be included in the initiative and the costs were covered by a crowdfunding campaign, launched by local elm-enthusiast Paul Selby.

Some of the varieties chosen for the elm plantation are so new that they have yet to be properly named.   It will be roughly ten years before there is enough tree growth to judge the project’s outcome, however it is wonderful to see the early stages of attempts to reintroduce this iconic tree species back into the British landscape.  If successful the experiment will definitively establish which elm to plant in what location to ensure the best chance of surviving Dutch Elm Disease.