1. Environmental Projects 2011
2011 was a busy year. As Ricoh had become well known as an Environmental contributor; there were more
opportunities for forums, presentations and large scale meetings with groups such as BESST and the Wildlife Trust.
The focus project of this year was however Hedgerow
planting and surveying.
On 6-8th June 2011, volunteers from Ricoh took part in
Hedgerow Survey training. This vital training gave our
volunteers the knowledge and confidence to go out
surveying hedges in various areas. On 23rd June 2011 the
volunteers ventured out to Dothill and Shawbirch in order
to survey the hedges there and find out more about the
local wildlife. They again went out the following week on
28th June to use their knowledge and training over the last
two years to install nest boxes for blue tits and robins in
the hedgerows on the Granville.
RPL’s Ricoh Eco Global Eco-Action Month (GEAM)
was held in November 2011 and highlighted areas of hedgerow that required replanting to fill in the gaps. Hedgerows
are an important aspect of the ecosystem as they provide shelter and travel for many species of wildlife.
On 9th November Ricoh members went about planting the 275 Bare Root Stock selected by Jon Oakley with advice
from Pete Lambert from the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The selection of plants to fill the gaps included Hawthorn,
Blackthorn, Hazel, Wild rose Red and Spindle. These species are berry wielding therefore can also provide food for
the wildlife over the winter months.
The area planted is highlighted below.
2011’s annual nest box maintenance was carried out on 30th
November. 120 boxes situated over 4 sites across the Wrekin
Forest were checked by the Ricoh volunteers and Stuart
Edmunds from the Shropshire Small Mammal Society.
The boxes were checked for traces of life and evidence that they
had been used and
general maintenance and
cleaning of them carried
out. Many of the boxes
had evidence of being
used such as small food
stores or droppings in
them. A few of the boxes
were found to have the lid
removed or dislodged
which led to a new
method being developed of locking the lid in place.
Overall, 2011 consisted of many projects which involved sustaining the
environments that were created previously such as nest boxes and creating
new environments that way last if maintained properly such as the hedgerow
“by-way”.
2011 also involved many presentations and forums in order to attain more
knowledge and get Ricoh on the conservation map. Through working with
Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shropshire Small Mammal Group Ricoh volunteers gained knowledge and skills as
well as presenting Ricoh as an Eco- Friendly Organisation.