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Site: Ham Lands Riverside Drive Ham TW10 7RX, TW10 7RX

Brief description: We will be working at Beaufort Court in Ham Lands to create a dead hedge. Dead hedges provide essential nesting and feeding habitats for birds, insects, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and a whole variety of fungi. Dead hedges also make an effective natural barrier to reduce habitat disturbance, soil erosion and compaction from foot traffic.

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Site: Crane Park, Hospital Bridge Road Entrance Crane Park, Hospital Bridge Road, Twickenham TW2, TW2 6DF

Brief description: We will be working in one of the six meadows in Crane Park, working to control dominant and unwanted plant species (burdock, hoary cress, nettles). In this session, we will be working in the main Crane Park meadow, the triangular meadow located to the north of Great Chertsey Road (https://maps.app.goo.gl/gzyTrh4d5iX8X5YN7). Some species can fast become dominant/invasive in open meadow spaces. They will often form dense stands in spring and summer, which shades out wildflower and grass species. Removal is often done in spring and early summer, before seed heads are able to form, to contain the growth/spread of the plant. Dependent on species, we will be utilising a mixture of mattocking, digging, and hand pulling removal techniques.

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Site: Crane Park Tower River Crane Shot Tower 81 Ellerman Ave Twickenham TW2 6AB, TW2 6AB

Brief description: We will be working in the Crane Park woodland to cut brambles around, and provide a little TLC to, the tree saplings planted earlier this year by FORCE. These saplings were planted across three sites to help diversify the age structure and species diversity of the woodland. Tree haloing is a practice used to retain space and light around trees. Haloing ensures trunks get ample air flow to protect against potential rot or decay, and reduces the likelihood of competition by other trees. Usually haloing is completed to safeguard old or special trees, in this case we are wanting to aid young trees to in their growth by removing competition.

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Site: Crane Park (Mill Road Entrance) various - but Crane Park Mill Road meadow is in the middle of the park, more or less. Nearest road is Mill Road., TW2 6NL

Brief description: We will be working in one of the six meadows in Crane Park, working to control dominant and unwanted plant species (brambles and burdock). In this session, we will be working in the Mill Road meadow, accessed from the end of Mill Road or from Lincoln Ave. Some species can fast become dominant/invasive in open meadow spaces. They will often form dense stands in spring and summer, which shades out wildflower and grass species. Removal is often done in spring and early summer, before seed heads are able to form, to contain the growth/spread of the plant. Dependent on species, we will be utilising a mixture of mattocking, digging, and hand pulling removal techniques.

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Site: Oak Avenue Local Nature Reserve Oak Avenue Local Nature Reserve, Hampton, TW12 3UY

Brief description: We will be completing our second trial of bracken fern control (bruising and digging) and we will also begin removing horsetail growth from the meadows. If we complete these tasks, we will look to maintain pathways and push back tree suckering off meadow edges to maintain the grassland space. The meadow is managed for biodiversity by LBRuT. Bracken fern is the UK's most common fern. It grows in dense stands in grasslands and dies off during summer creating a fire risk. Bracken is often removed from grassland sites to ensure it doesn't overpower other species/encroach on meadows. Please wear long-sleeves to this event as bracken sap/spores can irritate skin, and we will be clearing prickly seedlings (bramble, hawthorn, blackthorn) so let's reduce scratch risk!

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Site: Crane Park Tower River Crane Shot Tower 81 Ellerman Ave Twickenham TW2 6AB, TW2 6AB

Brief description: We will be working in the River Crane to repair existing river deflectors, and along the banks and pathways to remove Himalayan balsam. River deflectors are a tool used in the restoration of urbanised rivers, primarily to deflect waterflow to re-meander the waterway (i.e. create curvy rivers). This work creates new habitats for aquatic dwelling species such as the common reed, or water voles! Himalayan balsam is an invasive species that thrives along waterways, creating dense stands in spring and summer, and shades our other marginal or riverside species. Removal is often done in spring, before the seed heads are able to form.

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Site: Crane Park Tower River Crane Shot Tower 81 Ellerman Ave Twickenham TW2 6AB, TW2 6AB

Brief description: We will be working in the River Crane to repair existing river deflectors, and along the banks and pathways to remove Himalayan balsam. River deflectors are a tool used in the restoration of urbanised rivers, primarily to deflect waterflow to re-meander the waterway (i.e. create curvy rivers). This work creates new habitats for aquatic dwelling species such as the common reed, or water voles! Himalayan balsam is an invasive species that thrives along waterways, creating dense stands in spring and summer, and shades our other marginal or riverside species. Removal is often done in spring, before the seed heads are able to form.