At the heart of the constitution of the Friends of Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve there is a commitment to education through conservation on the reserve.
This is promoted by talks and guided walks and a range of activities, such as habitat management, tree planting and seed gathering. Some of these are specifically designed to meet the needs of children.
Education
These walks are advertised locally through the newsletter and the web site. Everyone is welcome.
Walks can also be arranged for private groups who request them e.g. societies, teachers, other naturalist groups and children.
Grassland management, Bats, Owls, Birds, Nature Reserves generally, Case studies of other reserves, Trees and ancient woodlands, Urban foxes, Global Warming, Bees.
Details of forthcoming talks are published in the Newsletter and on the Events page.
Habitats in general
Early summer bird song
Birds, butterflies and bugs
Trees
Habitats change through plant succession, especially bramble which has to be checked to conserve the flower meadows and willow which changes open water to muddy swamp.
Old trees die or become diseased. Some have to be felled because they are in a situation which is detrimental to other habitats. These losses are compensated by tree planting for the future. When possible children are involved with this activity.
Seed is gathered from the local native species already growing on the reserve. This is then used instead of introducing a different strain from outside the Reserve.
The creation of new habitats such as hedges and coppices provides shelter and food for birds and small mammals.
Talks
During the winter months a programme of talks is provided for members and visitors.
Subjects vary and have included:
Children's Activities
Work with children and young people is a very important part of what we do.
Activities for Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Scouts have been arranged in the past.
Children from St. Mary's C of E Primary School with their teachers are regular visitors and further work is being planned with their requirements in mind.
Members also give talks about the Reserve to interested groups such as Townswomen's Guild, Tangent, Rotary Clubs and other conservation groups.
The reserve has also been used for GCSE, A level and undergraduate projects, as well as Duke of Edinburgh activities.
