Coventry
Water Vole Project
Balsam Bashing and Plug Planting!
The Coventry Water Vole Project this
year kicks off on Saturday 22 May - the International Day for
Biodiversity - and runs through to Saturday 19 June.
We need your help in improving the habitat
along the river for Britain's most severely threatened native
mammal, the water vole. Water voles have declined by as much as 95%
in Warwickshire in recent years, and it is thought that if we don't
act fast, then this charismatic riverside animal will become
extinct within our lifetimes.
The project will involve removing the
non-native invasive plant Indian (Himalayan) balsam and replanting
the area with native 'water vole friendly' wetland plants.
The days are free and open to the public.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided, but bring along a packed
lunch if you wish to stay all day. Please wear suitable
clothing and footwear, i.e. wellies! Please also note that all
children must be accompanied by an adult and that there are no
toilet facilities available on site.
The project will span one month and be
split over nine days - Saturdays will be led by Coventry City
Council (primarily balsam bashing) and Wednesdays will be led by
the Trust. The full list of dates can be found below (times for all
days are 10am - 3:30pm):
Saturday 22 May - Lake View Park, off
Lake View Road, CV5 8JY
Wednesday 26 May - Lake View Park, off Lake
View Road, CV5 8JY
Saturday 29 May - Lake View Park, off
Lake View Road, CV5 8JY
Wednesday 2 June - Lake View Park, off Lake
View Road, CV5 8JY
Saturday 5 June - Lake View Park, off
Lake View Road, CV5 8JY
Wednesday 9 June - Lake View Park, off Lake
View Road, CV5 8JY
Saturday 12 June - Guphill Brook, off
Whitaker Road, CV5 9JE
Wednesday 16 June - Guphill Brook, off
Whitaker Road, CV5 9JE
Saturday 19 June - Longford Park, off
Oakmoor Road (car park off Longford Road), CV6
For more information please contact Tim
Haselden, Wetlands Living Landscape Officer on 024 7630 8995 or
email tim.haselden@wkwt.org.uk.
The Trust gratefully acknowledges the
generous support of Debenhams Coventry for this project from the
sale of carrier bags in-store.
