Hedgehogs, hibernacula and habitat management: RSK supports community orchard

RSK Habitat Management has supported Fusion, HS2’s early work principal contractor for the central area, in a tidy-up of Vicarage Orchard, a parish-council-run community orchard in Steeple Claydon in Buckinghamhire, UK. The initiative was organised via Fusion’s Community Relations Officer Simon Griffiths, who approached RSK for help.

“The orchard is a community garden with young fruit trees and is managed by locals as a village area of conservation,” comments RSK Contracts Director Jason Winslow. “The trees have many bird and bat boxes in position and there are signs informing people of its importance for wildlife. The job needed to be handled with a delicate touch to avoid damaging the flora and disturbing the fauna and residential infrastructure. RSK Habitat Management’s experience and expertise in enhancing and maintaining the biological interest of habitats to benefit wildlife came into its own and we were delighted to be able to volunteer our professionals and skills to assist with this worthwhile project, which will benefit the local community and the environment.”

The work involved various clearance and tidying-up activities, including the removal of main boughs that were overhanging footpaths and groups of young trees growing on the fence line. The resulting logs were used as hibernacula for hedgehogs.

A Council representative later expressed to Simon, “We are overwhelmed with the good work that was carried out and are very grateful for what you did.”

Simon added, “I would like to say a big thank you to Rachel Quinn, Lewis Comoy and Jason Winslow from RSK and to Phil Miller from Practicality Brown for helping to make this happen.”

 

 

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Habitat management enhances and maintains the biological interest of habitats to benefit wildlife. RSK, through its habitat management team and group company Twig, provides comprehensive habitat management services to its clients. With our in-house team of specialist ecological contractors and our dedicated fleet of specialist plant and equipment, we can provide practical and effective solutions.