Our first foray into the pond in July came on a (thankfully) cool but for once rainless evening. Following a visit by leading Crassula authority Julia Mumford-Smith, who gave excellent, useful advice, we decided to try to contain the spread of the invasive species at the northern and southern edges.
This was achieved by digging and scraping the muddiest areas, carefully from outside to in, and then bagging the detritus into rubble sacks, for removal in the 'pit' once drained and dry.
Following our meticulous work to uproot the invasive Crassula plants during the previous session, our focus shifted towards a crucial task to prevent any potential regrowth. It became imperative for us to carefully capture the loose residue that was now floating on the serene surface of the water. This step was essential in ensuring that the remnants of the Crassula plants were effectively removed from the ecosystem, thereby minimizing the risk of the plant re-establishing itself and spreading once again. By diligently netting the floating residue, we were not only taking proactive measures to prevent the invasive species from taking root but also demonstrating our commitment to preserving the ecological balance of the pond.
This attention to detail and thoroughness in our approach underscored our dedication to environmental stewardship and the long-term sustainability of the habitat. It was a consensual decision among the group that in order to prevent excessive contamination from spreading further into the water, it was crucial to designate a single volunteer to wear the protective waders and undertake the task of scooping up the debris.
By having only one person handle the cleanup operation, the risk of unintentional spread of contaminants was significantly reduced, ensuring a more effective and focused mitigation of the environmental hazard.
Our innovative solution of incorporating buckets with strategically placed holes into rubber rings made easier the process of collecting loose Crassula from the deeper sections of the pond. This ingenious design not only meant efficient drainage but also ensured that the collected vegetation could be easily transported to the pond's edge. By simply loading the buckets with the Crassula, allowing them to float back to the shore, and then emptying them before returning them to the volunteer wader, this entire operation became extremely effective.
At the end of the session, we carefully explored the 'wild meadow' towards the church side of the pond. This has been intentionally left un-mown and the results show an increase in biodiversity making it their habitat. Our worry was that the Crassula had crept into the meadow, but on inspection it didn't look as if it had travelled that far!
Our next session is on July 24th, from 4.00 to 6.00 pm. More information can be found on our 'Events' page here https://www.morstonpondswamp.org/events-1
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