Volunteers Country Estate Working Group - Friday morning

At Landgoed de Lieskamp, volunteers will perform a wide range of tasks, depending on the season and the specific needs of the estate. These tasks are crucial for both the accessibility of the estate and the promotion of biodiversity. Here is a detailed description of the different tasks:

1. Removing Invasive Aliens : Volunteers help identify and remove plant species that are not native to the area, such as ragwort, bird cherry and invasive blackberry species. This prevents these plants from crowding out native flora, which is essential for maintaining biodiversity.
2. Mowing : Grass is mowed at certain times of the year to prevent overgrowth and to improve the accessibility of the walking path. This also maintains grassland and open spaces that are important for insects and other animals.
3. Path maintenance : Volunteers ensure that the footpath remains passable by clearing it of weeds, branches and mud, and filling holes where necessary. This contributes to the accessibility of the estate for all visitors.
4. Pruning : Pruning trees and shrubs prevents them from blocking paths and helps maintain plant health. It also creates more space for other plants and animals, which benefits biodiversity.
5. Chopping pruning waste : The pruning waste is chopped by volunteers, which makes it easier to process the waste and use it for mulch or compost. This contributes to the circular operation of the estate and soil health.
6. Removing brambles : Brambles can spread quickly and crowd out other native vegetation. Removing brambles helps protect native plant species and keeps the property accessible to visitors.
7. Seedling Removal : Seedlings of trees and shrubs that develop spontaneously are removed to promote the growth of native plants and to prevent the forest from becoming too dense.
8. Pollarding of pollard willows & pollard alders: Pollarding of willows and alders is an old technique that promotes the preservation of these special trees. Pollarded trees are important for biodiversity, because they provide a habitat for various insects and birds.
9. Fence Repair : Volunteers help maintain and repair fences and gates. This is important to screen off the paths from certain parts of the estate, to protect nature and to provide a safe environment for visitors.
10. Removing dead reeds (partly) from the ponds : Removing dead reeds helps to keep the ponds in good condition and prevents the water quality from deteriorating. It also promotes biodiversity by improving the water depth and clarity, which is good for aquatic plants and animals.

These works will make the estate both more accessible to visitors and richer in biodiversity. The efforts of volunteers will ensure that the estate retains its ecological value while remaining a safe and pleasant place for anyone who wants to visit.