FoCM Events Programme - Spring 2009

These are the events that have been confirmed so far - there may be a few more to follow. Please read the notes - they are very important.

Sunday 15th February

Woodland Management conservation task

Meet: Chorlton Ees car park (see Note 1.).

Time: 10:30am - 3:00pm

Saturday 7th March & Sunday 8th March

Event Leading and Health & Safety Course (see Note 2).

Place: Mersey Valley Visitors' Centre, Rifle Road, Sale.

Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm

Sunday 8th March

Clean Up Your Local Nature Reserve (see Note 3).

Meet: Ivy Green car park, Brookburn Road

Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm

Saturday 14th March

Introduction to MapMate (see Note 4) with Stephen Atkins, GMEU Biodiversity Information Officer.

Place: Mersey Valley Visitors' Centre, Rifle Road, Sale.

Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm

Saturday 28th March & Sunday 29th March

Butterfly Identification and Monitoring Methodology with Peter Hardy (see Note 5).

Place: Mersey Valley Visitors' Centre, Rifle Road, Sale.

Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm

Sunday 24th May

Himalayan Balsam Pulling.

Meet: Chorlton Ees car park.

Time: 10:30am - 3:00pm

Saturday 13th June

Wild Flower Identification with Liz Blackman, Cheshire Wildlife Trust (see Note 6).

Place: Mersey Valley Visitors' Centre, Rifle Road, Sale.

Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Notes

1. There are two car parks associated with Chorlton Ees and Ivy Green Local Nature Reserve. The Chorlton Ees car park is at the end of the cobbled road off Brookburn Road (to the right of Brookburn Road Primary School).

2. This is going to be a very important (and expensive) course for FoCM and we need as many people to attend as possible. We need to be able to work without supervision but the authorities insist that we undertake this training first. The future of FoCM literally depends on getting as many people trained as possible. Please book yourself on the course through Alex Krause (phone number and email below).

3. This is a public event but for people attending the Event Leading and Health & Safety Training, it will be the practical part of the course. Note that Ivy Green car park is on Brookburn Road itself, opposite the Bowling Green pub.

4. MapMate is biological recording computer software package ( http://mapmate.co.uk/ ). We are having a big push this year to record as many plant and animal species on the reserve as possible and it will be useful to know how to get the best use out of this widely used piece of software. Please book through Alex.

5. Peter B. Hardy is a local butterfly expert and the author of a book called 'The Butterflies of Greater Manchester'. Please book through Alex.

6. Liz Blackman has extensive knowledge of local wild flowers and this should help us in our drive to record as many species as possible. Please book through Alex.

To book on courses or to obtain further clarification on any items in the programme please contact Alex Krause (MVCWS Ecology Warden) on 0161 881 5639 or email: a.krause@manchester.gov.uk .

Please bring packed lunches for all events. For outdoor tasks you will also need to wear suitable footwear (boots or wellies) and dress for the weather. All tools, gloves etc. will be provided.

Dave Bishop, February 2009.