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Goats Rue Removal @ Westlands Country Park

An activity with North Essex Biodiversity Action Team (Midweek)

Activity date: Thursday 9th July 2026

Start time: 10:00
Finish time: 14:00

Activity description

Goats Rue is a non-native invasive species. A native of the middle East it has been planted as a forage crop in the past and also planted in gardens. It is now known to be invasive spreading into thick carpets that block out other species. It is also believed to be toxic to livestock. The spread of Goats Rue at Westlands Country Park has been monitored over the last couple of years and it has been decided to start control of the plant by removal before it sets seed, to prevent it's further spread.

Meeting place

10am at Britannia Car Park or 9:45am at Essex Field Office. Volunteers are welcome to meet us on site if preferred.

Activity location

Westlands Country Park, James Carter Road Colchester, CO3 9XA

Site description

Area of land recently acquired by Colchester City Council. Old landfill site which is now open park with many trees planted.

Pick Up Point

Contact

Sophie Warner

Telephone: 01206 764470
Email: Essex@tcv.org.uk
Website: https://www.tcv.org.uk/essex

Please bring

  • packed lunch
  • suitable outdoor clothes
  • suitable outdoor footwear

Further info

Westlands Country Park was created on the former Shrubend landfill site, with trees planted between 1998 and 2002 before opening to the public in 2007. Managed by Essex County Council and Colchester City Council, the park has been transformed into a valuable green space supporting species such as Skylark, Kestrel, Common Lizard and a range of wildflowers and invertebrates. The site also contains part of the Iron Age Kidman's Dyke scheduled monument. Grassland is managed through rotational cutting, while the developing woodland is managed for long-term biodiversity, alongside the continued collection of landfill gas for renewable energy generation.

Site Facilities

  • Nearest Toilets - Leather Bottle public house- at Straight rd junction with Shrub End Rd

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