The Lean, Green, Blean Machine
Thirty five volunteers braved a snowy West Blean and Thornden Woods to burn off excess Christmas calories at Kent Wildlife Trust’s Welcome Day on Wednesday, January 13th - helping with essential conservation work for the benefit of local wildlife.
The 'Blean Badger' enjoys a baked potato!
The morning was spent working in the woods, on activities such as coppicing, scrub clearance and burning brash. Eighteen students and staff from Canterbury College came along to help out and have a go at coppicing some of the smaller trees. Areas along a track are being cleared to allow more light into sections of the wood, creating corridors to encourage rare butterflies and provide a diversity of habitats for wildlife.
The Blean project is a four year programme, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and aims to restore and conserve native woodland - much of it ancient - to protect and encourage wildlife and make it more accessible and a more enjoyable to visit.
Kathryn Barton, Blean Community Engagement Officer for Kent Wildlife Trust, said: “Everybody had a great day. It was really cold but the work, the fires, hot drinks and jacket potatoes kept everybody warm. The woods are really beautiful in the snow and the fact that it was snowing on the day made it more magical.
“We were also joined by Kent Wildlife Trust’s ‘Blean Badger’, who joined in with all the activities on offer. We were surprised to discover that badgers will eat baked potatoes! In the afternoon, the badger shed its skin to reveal Karen Rose, Blean Trainee Warden, who led a guided walk, giving people the opportunity to learn more about winter trees. Kent Wildlife Trust’s volunteers will go above and beyond the call of duty!”
If you would like to volunteer with Kent Wildlife Trust in the Blean, please contact Kathryn at Mayton Oast, Mayton Lane, Broad Oak, Canterbury, CT2 0QW; Tel: 01227 719506; Mob: 07717 367944; email:
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