Join Final Straw and The West Sussex Rivers Trust to clean up the Ems Chalk Stream on Sunday 15 June at Brook Meadow nature reserve
Brook Meadow
Established in 2000 by a local community group, Brook Meadow covers approx. 10.5 acres and offers a rich mosaic of habitats and margins. From meadows with orchids and wildflowers, to coarse grass lands, nationally scarce sedges, scrub and small woodland copses. The trees include Black Poplar, one of our rarest native trees. It is flanked on two sides by the River Ems and Lumley mill stream, both are chalk streams and part of the 200 in Southern England and one of the rarest habitats in the world.
Brook Meadow has become a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SNIC), now renamed to a Local Wildlife Site because of its important wildlife and in 2008 was designated as a Local Nature Reserve. The Meadow also attracts some rare creatures such as our beloved water voles, Britain’s fastest declining mammal and kingfishers, another legally protected species. So, despite its small size, there is much that can be found in this special little place!
Thank you for offering to come along and clean up the Chalk Stream - it is very much appreciated and will go a long way to supporting this rare habitat.
Please register and join the Final Straw Foundation and The West Sussex Rivers Trust for a clean-up of the Ems Chalk stream in Brook Meadow nature reserve on Sunday 15 June from 09`:30 to 13:00 as part of the Big Green Week.
Meeting points - What3Words location ///item.retail.sulk
There are 3 options available to sign up.
-To get into the chalk stream. You will need to have waders and be physically fit. We do have a limited number of waders. Please email
dm9sdW50ZWVyIHwgZmluYWxzdHJhd2ZvdW5kYXRpb24gISBvcmc= with your shoe size so we can ensure there are waders available. Due to the limited number we may not be able to accommodate everyone or you may have to wear a slightly bigger size. It is advisable to bring along a walking pole to assist you.
-To clean up the area around the back of the industrial estate. This will not require waders but you will need some wellingtons or strong footwear you don't mind getting dirty.
-To clean up the rest of the meadow. You will not be going into the water but will need some strong footwear.
If there are no places available please put your name on the wait list and we will contact you in order if anyone has dropped out.
We will provide kit - gloves, litter pickers, bags, and buckets, but we welcome you to bring your own if you have any. Safety glasses will also be available.
We will provide access to hot and cold drinks but you will need to bring your own lunch. There won't be time to go and get any snacks due to the timescales so please bring anything you need along with you.
River levels will be between 0.3m and 0.6. We will have access to the sluice gate to monitor the levels and we will look at the rainfall and weather in advance of the day.
You will need to stay for the whole session due to the nature of the site and the type of rubbish that we will be picking up and the supervision needed.
We will ask you to fill in a medical form that will be emailed separately when you sign up. If you do have any medical issues that may affect you taking part in the clean up in the water, there may be other opportunities for shore-based activities and support, so please fill out the form anyway and we will be in touch. We are keen to make our events as accessible to all as possible!
While we anticipate that this clean up should be able to go ahead, it will be subject to the weather - while rain is not too much of a problem, if the wind is too high we will not proceed. If the clean-up is going to be cancelled for any reason, we will notify you through Eventbrite (you will be emailed) and on our social media.
CLEAN UP RULES
- There will be a safety briefing at the start of the event, please listen carefully and adhere to the guidelines. There will be a briefing by Brook Meadow Nature reserve and The West Sussex Rivers Trust. Please listen carefully to their guidelines.
- Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good ankle support and grip. It will be advisable to have wellingtons or walking boots. Please ensure they are clean and dry to avoid bringing in any invasive species.
- Only go where instructed to go on the day.
- Dress for the weather - check the forecast in advance. If it's hot, wear sun cream, if it's raining bring a waterproof rain jacket and so on - layers are great.
- Please bring your own drink and snack in a reusable container.
- Do not pick up anything sharp (broken glass, needles etc). Inform a host and we will remove it. We will have a sharps bin with us.
- Under 18's must be accompanied by a responsible adult, no children under 16 will be permitted due to the nature of the site and the type of rubbish that we will be picking up. FSF accepts no responsibility for minors attending the event.
- Participation is at the individual's own risk, but please report any incidents to the hosts.
- Do not put your hands anywhere near your face, especially your eyes or mouth during the clean. You never know what you may have touched and your gloves will probably be dirty.
- Bring hand sanitiser for after the clean-up and wash your hands thoroughly as soon as possible after the event.
- Return all equipment and litter to the collection/drop-off spot.
- Dogs are not permitted due to the type of clean up we are doing.
- Always be aware of traffic and moving vehicles.
W e are grateful for any donations to help us continue our work - please visit our JustGiving Page if you would like to donate to our charity!
https://www.justgiving.com/finalstrawfdn
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