05 July 2012 - 15:49
TWO Nature After Minerals (NAM) workshop events will take place this month, the first on ‘Habitat Design, Creation & Management of Mineral Sites (Woodland)’, at Brandon Marsh Nature Centre/Bubbenhall Quarry, near Coventry, Warwickshire, on Tuesday 17 July; and the second on ‘Creating High Quality Water Bodies’, at the Farm-to-Fork Building/Cleveland Lakes, Cotswold Water Park, Gloucestershire, on Wednesday 25 July.
The first workshop – the second of two on this subject – will cover mineral site restoration to appropriate woodland habitat, including: consideration of wet woodland; planting mixes; and open spaces; and designs for biodiversity. Particular attention will be paid to scrub establishment and aftercare. This day-long event, which includes a visit to Bubbenhall Quarry, will explore the current status of specialist wildlife and potential conservation strategies for them.
The second workshop will cover the design and development of biodiversity-enhanced water body features. The enhancement of even amenity, fishing and water-sports lakes – post minerals extraction – is feasible and can make a significant difference to the biodiversity of an area. This day-long event will include consideration of: land-forming; water control; emergent vegetation; and associated marginal habitats.
