​In a rare break to our usual winter coppicing tasks, 17 volunteers had a delightful day down at Barlings Nature Reserve, just outside Langworth. As part of the regeneration of this former landfill site, LCG volunteers joined volunteers from Lindum Group helping Environment and Community Projects Officer for Lincolnshire County Council, Matthew Davey, to replenish stocks of recently planted trees.

We were last on site in early 2020, helping to plant over 2000 native tree saplings. The subsequent long, hot spring wasn’t ideal growing conditions for some of the juvenile plants, so our work this January was to identify dead saplings and to replant with fresh 'whips'. We planted a variety of species including hawthorn, hazel, lime, and sycamore. The ground was easy to dig (except in some stony areas!) and frost-free, and we were even treated to some fantastic wildlife. An egret flew low over the site in the morning, and, at lunch, we watched a barn owl hunt along the reserve’s hedgerow – what a privilege!
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Sophie