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Much progress has been achieved over the winter with the
clearing of unwanted trees from the lake and adjacent Arboretum. Local
volunteers and the Southampton University Conservation Volunteers have been
prominent in this work.
We've been successful in obtaining a grant from the
Forestry Commission to start the preparation of a maintenance plan for the
ancient woodland in Buxey Wood and, once complete, this plan will be
submitted as part of an application for planning permission for the
maintenance of this wood, which is subject to a tree preservation order.
We are very grateful to Hampshire Biodiversity Information
Centre for repeating a floral survey of East and West Buxey Wood: 96 species
were identified in Buxey West (ancient woodland) and 76 in Buxey East
(planted but long established).
Phil Budd, a local expert on fungi has conducted another
fungus foray for the benefit of local people, following his first visit in
2004. As a result we have now identified a total of 88 fungal species at
Chilworth. Another interesting survey was carried out by a group of experts
on liverworts and mosses, resulting in the identification of 55 species. All
these surveys confirm the importance of Chilworth Conservation Area as a
repository of substantial numbers of plant species.
Phil Budd will be conducting an insect walk at Chilworth
on 30 April 2006 at 2pm. Anyone who is interested is invited to attend.
Please meet by the Conservation Area gate in the car park at the north end
of Chilworth Manor.
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