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Cardiff University at Nelson Wern

The 7th Cardiff University Conservation Work Party came to Nelson Wern on Halloween. Arranged through Dave Beveridge of Parks Services, and Dr. Rob Thomas from Cardiff University. The first task was a litter pick. Anyone planning to work in conservation will undoubtedly be litter picking at some point. The Students went deep into the Wern and filled around 60 bin bags with general litter, including children’s tractors, car wheels, a TV, an exercise bike and worryingly a 60cm crossbow bolt, and two body boards.

Cardiff University students showing the results of their efforts.

After lunch, more students turned up and started the second task, coppicing some old and overgrown Hazel trees.

Hazel trees benefit from being cut to the ground every fifteen years or so. It rejuvenates them and produces more nuts in the following years, providing more food for the wood mice of the Wern.

Taking out the old growth and leaving the young shoots will lead to stronger growth and more food for wildlife.