Autumn has arrived, and at Knowle Park we are preparing for a busy season of site management. Over the coming months, our volunteers will be carrying out a wide range of important tasks to keep the park healthy for both people and wildlife.
One of our biggest priorities is clearing and trimming back the ditch network. This work helps rainwater flow into the lake rather than sitting on paths, which improves access for visitors while also supporting the wetland habitat. We will also be levelling and reseeding the lakeside lawn while the weather is still mild enough for seed to germinate, ensuring it remains a welcoming open space.
We will be caring for our young trees through essential watering, mulching, and pruning, as well as planting several hundred new saplings provided by the Woodland Trust. This not only strengthens our tree cover for the future but also creates important habitats for birds and insects. Dead branches will be chipped and reused as mulch around trees, helping to retain soil moisture and return nutrients to the ground.
In the Osier Bed, we will be installing Dormouse boxes once coppicing begins. Dormice are a protected species, and providing them with suitable nesting sites is an important part of enhancing biodiversity. Around the park, seasonal pruning will provide material for dead hedges, which are valuable refuges for small mammals and invertebrates.
The reedbeds will be cut for the first time since they were planted in early 2023. Cutting reed on rotation helps keep the habitat healthy, prevents it from becoming choked, and supports a wider range of wetland species.
In the wetland corner, we will be clearing brambles and preparing the ground for a new post-and-rail fence to protect the area. We will also be creating an Otter Holt near Littlemead Brook. This was recommended by Surrey Wildlife Trust during the planning phase of the park and will provide a safe resting and breeding site for otters, a key indicator species of healthy waterways.
These are just some of the main priorities for the autumn and winter months; no doubt, more will arise as the season progresses.
If you would like to get involved, we run regular volunteer sessions on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and Saturday afternoons at 1 p.m., meeting by the kiosks. No previous experience is needed. Every pair of hands makes a difference, and you will help create a park rich in wildlife and welcoming to the whole community.
