|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chemicals, and in particular herbicides, can be a very useful conservation tool, but only in the right hands. Used indiscriminately they are bad for the environment and in extreme cases for the operator as well. So know what you are doing before committing yourself. Herbicides are used to kill unwanted plants, for example hawthorn stumps in chalk grassland, sycamore and rhododendron in ancient woodlands or Japanese Knotweed or snowberry in graveyards. There is nothing more depressing for a group of volunteers than returning to a site cleared of scrub the previous year to see a splendid example of vigorous regrowth! Herbicides are rarely, however, a complete answer, and you also need to think about subsequent management. A few plants will always survive the herbicide application and you should be prepared to make a follow-up visit. But also think about the management that created the original habitat: the best tool for maintaining chalk grassland is a flock of sheep. It is nearly always easier to pay a contractor to do this for you; if you are working on a Local Authority Site they will often be able to provide these sort of skills in exchange for the other work you put into the site. If you decide that chemicals are appropriate, and that you will need to use them with such regularity you want to do it yourselves, you will need someone to undergo formal training, in order to pass an NPTC. (National Proficiency Tests Council) examination in the use and application of herbicides (hand held applicators module). The training and test will take about four days and could cost around £250. Even when you are a volunteer, the law will regard you as a contractor when you are working on someone else's land. Training is available from Lantra or through your local agricultural college, and some local contractors have qualifications to run training courses too. The Community Unit can also give advice. These training courses will help you to choose appropriate chemicals and application methods. (There are many to avoid!) A further source of technical advice is the publication The Use of Herbicides on Nature Reserves --focus on nature conservation No 14 . If you get a professional contractor to do this work on your behalf you need to make sure they are suitably qualified, just as you would if you got someone to do building work. All content copyright © 1986-2008 BTCV Ltd. Registered charity No. 261009 |
