In celebration of Earth Day, a spirited group of volunteers from Crisp Malt joined forces with representatives from Norfolk FWAG — Henry Walker and Bea White — along with farmer, Nick Anema, for a day of tree guard removal as a part of their corporate membership.
Under a sky of light clouds with the sun occasionally peeking through, the team gathered at Nick’s farm, ready to make a difference.
The Volunteering Session
The day began with a preparatory loading of essential tools – bags for the old tree guards, hooked Stanley blades, gloves, and of course, some biscuits for sustenance. As they walked down to the woodland, Nick provided an engaging overview of his farm. He pointed out various features such as environmental margins, winter bird food plots, and the meandering River Tud, enhancing the volunteers’ understanding of the land they were about to serve.
The woodland, initially planted in 2014, was the focus of the day’s efforts. Nick explained that the motivation to clear out old plastic tree guards was sparked during the restoration of a “ghost pond” on the east side of the woodland. These guards, though crucial during the early stages of a woodland’s life, often become detrimental leftovers as the forest matures, causing not only pollution but also potential harm to tree health and local wildlife — a visible issue even along major roads like the A47.
Aligned with Earth Day’s theme of ‘planet vs plastics,’ the decision to remove these plastic encasements was both symbolic and practical. The team efficiently removed the ties and guards, clearing a significant portion of the woodland in just over an hour. A brief pause in their labours led them to the restored ghost pond, where Nick shared the journey from discovering the pond on an old tithe map to digging it out and seeing water bubbling up from the underground spring.
The day concluded around 5pm as the team walked back in the comforting warmth of the afternoon sun, accompanied by the melodious calls of skylarks and willow warblers. This corporate volunteering session fostered a deeper connection with nature for Crisp Malt and underscored the ongoing commitment of Norfolk FWAG to environmental stewardship.
Norfolk FWAG’s Corporate Membership
This rewarding volunteering session was made possible through our Corporate Membership offering. Consisting of three tiers — the Skylark, Turtle Dove, and Barn Owl — memberships of this type are specifically designed for and tailored towards businesses of all sizes.
With a Barn Owl Corporate Membership, our highest level of membership, corporations receive a conservation volunteering day to offer their teams as part of their membership benefits. This outing with Crisp Malt was a quintessential example of how corporations can contribute to local conservation efforts while also rewarding their teams’ hard work. If you’re interested in accessing a Corporate Membership, reach out to us today.
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