Category: Local Group News

10th May 2020 The possibility of a relaxation of the lockdown raises all our hopes that we may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We shall see! It does make us think about the possibility of taking our waste to the tip and a to visit our local garden centre. Whatever … Continue reading Notes from an Urban Greenspace #12

We have had a several reports of a large bird of prey flying over Medway. Normally we would only expect to see Kestrels, which are fairly small and can be spotted hovering over our road verges, or the occasional Buzzard, which are much bigger with broad wings and a wedge shaped tail. Recently, we have … Continue reading Red Kites in Medway

May is usually Walk In The Woods month at The Tree Council, and while many of us are getting out and about for our daily exercise, not all our usual haunts are open/accessible. For others, our health means we must isolate indoors. And yet, just one tree can be a source of inspiration and reflection. … Continue reading Walk Where You May

3rd May 2020 Every day of the year has some sort of event or occasion dedicated to it and today is no exception. Taking place on the first Sunday of May, International Dawn Chorus Day is the worldwide celebration of nature's greatest symphony. I have to confess that I did not get up at four … Continue reading Notes from an Urban Greenspace #11

We normally think of forests as places where there are a lot of trees such as the rainforests of the Amazon or the conifer forests of northern Russia. In fact, a forest is more complex than this. In the past the English forest was a hunting preserve for kings and their wealthy lords. Nowadays, we … Continue reading Medway Urban Tree Challenge

26th April 2020 We are now into the last week of one of the warmest Aprils on record. Sadly, we are not able to get out as much as we would like but the sunshine does make things feel slightly better. Despite these difficult times there is much to celebrate in our greenspaces. My first … Continue reading Notes from an Urban Greenspace #10

Apr 2020: Congratulations to Medway Council and Norse who have stopped using herbicides on some our roads and path edges. Using hand tools and clearing up the arisings means that environment is that bit safer for us and our wildlife. Not only that the end result is a much tidier job without dead and decaying … Continue reading Use of Herbicides in Medway – Update Apr 2020

18th April 2020 As I sit down to write my latest notes and we face another three weeks of lockdown time seems to be moving very slowly; but, in another way I also feel that weeks are flying past. We are already half way through April and the spring is well and truly with us. … Continue reading Notes from an Urban Greenspace #9

The rise of “disposable” gloves and other PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) being discarded as litter since the start of the coronavirus pandemic is deeply concerning.  The images above were taken along a 200m edge of a Rochester greenspace early on Tuesday morning this week. It’s not clear whether people are resorting to using these gloves, … Continue reading Note from an Urban Greenspace #8

Notes from an Urban Greenspace – 13th April 2020 Welcome to week four of the lockdown; or is it week five or three, I have lost count. As I write this I am listening to the Start the Week on Radio 4, all about the importance of gardens and greenspaces for our health (pick it … Continue reading Notes from an Urban Greenspace #7