The Environment Agency encourages its employees to devote two days a
year to community and environmental projects. I am a Waste Regulatory Officer.
My usual day job involves responding to incidents, inspecting a wide variety of
sites from recycling sites, landfills and household waste transfer stations,
investigating illegal waste sites etc. So it was a pleasant contrast to take a
day away from regulating to help the environment in a different context: conservation.
Our group consisted of other Merseyside Waste Regulatory Officers, Land and Water Officers who investigate and prevent pollution incidents and
Enforcement Officers involved in the tackling of waste crime and enforcement.
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| Photo: Steve Lyus |
At New Ferry Butterfly Park we split into three groups; felling an Elm tree to prevent the spread of Dutch Elm disease, removing young sycamores to make way for planned new bee hives, using Austrian scythes to tackle brambles and clearing patches of ground to re-expose the railway track in order to create space for wild flowers.
It wasn't all work either. After we had stuffed ourselves with cooking
from our BBQ, cake and homemade brownies, Hilary took us on a tour and shared
with us the fascinating history of the site and her specialist botanical
knowledge. We also did some pond dipping.
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| Photo : Paul Loughnane |
We enjoyed making a contribution to protecting vulnerable species of
plants and butterflies. One
of the officers commented to me, "I thought the commitment and enthusiasm from
the volunteers was lovely and inspiring, they had worked so hard and dedicated
many years to produce such a great resource for local schools and the
community".
I would heartily recommend other groups to come and help out.
Thanks to Paul, Hilary, Steve (x2) and Howard
Debbie McCall
Environment Officer (GMMC) Merseyside EPR Waste
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| Debbie with her prize elm cutting |
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