Author: Judith Watling

A water fern called Azolla, originally from America has been spreading in the British Isles in recent years and has established itself in the pond at Beckenham Place Park. It is spread by wildfowl and spore dispersal and can quickly take over a pond, swamping the native vegetation and wildlife. It can develop a floating mat 30cm thick, which shades the sunlight from the water and chokes the pond. To control this invasive weed, weevils have been introduced into the pond that eat the Azolla. This should keep it under control and prevent it from taking over the pond. This is a safe natural way to control the weed without using harsh chemicals. To watch the video about the project, click the link below!

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youtu.be/dBYSGBo23Kk__;!!CVb4j_0G!CP-IT_iYHMHhmJUtAW9ZM3s14lsrBGtsfoqgagLQSR8cTSOW-rwyap3myuMz3v9_14w_VvSNG9MVBmb44UU$

World Wetlands Day with Walthamstow Wetlands

Below are details of the Wildlife Trusts Wetland Day on the 2nd February, which is being hosted online over zoom:

The events are:
10:00 – Come and join guest speaker Ian Crump, Biodiversity Field Officer for Thames Water, for a talk about freshwater habitats, their management, uses as vital sources of supply and habitats for a wide range of species, to celebrate World Wetlands Day 2021
https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/events/2021-02-02-world-wetlands-day-freshwater-its-importance-people-and-wildlife-ian-crump

12:30 – Join Walthamstow Wetlands visitor engagement ranger, Pete, to explore the types of wetland around the world, the life they support, the ecosystem services they provide and why they are worth protecting and restoring.
https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/events/2021-02-02-world-wetlands-day-wetlands-world-pete-salter

15:00 – Join patch birder and volunteer, Daniel Whitelegg, to get an inside peek of the reserves seasonal comings and goings. Learn how important the reservoirs are for over 140 species and why they choose to spend their lives here. From the glamourous bearded tit to the ubiquitous but overlooked greylag goose. 
https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/events/2021-02-02-world-wetlands-day-birds-eye-view-wetlands-daniel-whitelegg

Click the links to sign up!

Hi Everyone!

Here is the new Rivers and People programme for January to March. Please note, we are currently not able to run sessions due to the lockdown but we hope to be back up and running in March.