Nature’s Gym at Pepys Nature Area

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Jess kyle

Back in April, the Nature’s Gym volunteers made two visits to of Upper Pepys Park to start clearing the nature area.  We  dug up some of the buddleia that had been planted and continued to cut it back from some of the path network.   However, we had to be careful cutting any buddlleia because were in bird nesting season and the last thing that we wanted to do was disturb them and their nests! The plan behind this was to increase the meadow areas and create more habitat diversity.

Clearing the Buddleia

This time we were working outside of the bird nesting season so were able to start tackling the masses of Buddleia that seems to be swamping the other trees including poplars.  As always there was still some bramble to cut through first, but the volunteers toiled on and got plenty of work done.  It was a fantastic effort by all and I am sure that they are looking forward to getting stuck in again next week!

Safety first!

Snedding Buddliea

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Upper Pepys Nature Park – Part 2

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Jess kyle

Following on from our session last week, the Nature’s Gym volunteers continued with their work at Upper Pepys Nature Park.  There was still plenty of work to do in the meadow areas and along the footpaths.

Clearing the meadow

Getting to work in the meadow areas

We also dug up some of the buddleia that had been planted and continued to cut it back from some of the path network.  We had to be careful cutting any buddlleia because we are now in bird nesting season and the last thing that we wanted to do was disturb them and their nests! 

Clearing the buddleia

Cutting back

Of course, it isn’t all work with Nature’s Gym, there is always time for a catch up with a cup of tea and some biscuits!  In case you were wondering, our favourties are fig rolls and jammy dodgers!

Tea time!

 

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Nature’s Gym volunteers at Upper Pepys Nature Park

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Jess kyle

Pepys Parks consist of a number of open spaces set between Lewisham’s frontage along the river Thames and Grove Street.  Last year works were finished to improve this area.  The works aimed to improve safety, walking and cycling in the area and encourage play with enhancements carried out to an existing playground for children under 13 in Upper Pepys park and an entirely new play area for older children and young people in Lower Pepys park.  New lighting, planting, tree’s, furniture and improvements to the nature reserve are in Upper Pepys park were all undertaken.

Getting to work on the meadow

Despite all this work there was still a few improvements to be made in the nature area, and this is where the volunteers stepped in! Over the next couple weeks the volunteers will be working hard to remove Buddleia, bramble and invasives from the meadow areas.  This work will increase the meadow areas and create more habitat diversity.

Getting ready for the cuttings

Clearing the path

There is still plenty of work here, so the volunteers will be back next week and later in the year. If we are lucky, we may get to see another one of these!

A big boat heading down the Thames!

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Upper Pepys nature park

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Jess kyle

On 22nd and 29th March the Nature’ Gym volunteers will be working in the Upper Pepys nature park.  Quite a lot of work has been done in the Pepys Park area over the last few years, but it could still with a little helping hand.  Our work will involve cutting back buddleia and other invasive species to bring this site back to a nature area.  The site is not an easy place to find if you don’t know the area, so I thought I would put a map up here!  If you are interested in taking part, please contact Judith Simmons before coming – we need to make sure we bring enough tools and more importantly, enough tea!


View Larger Map

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