YOUNG naturalists from two Herefordshire schools will help to ensure that a dynasty spanning hundreds of years continues safely into the future, writes ANITA HOWELLS.
Children from Clifford and Madley primary schools will join wildlife experts from English Nature Three Counties Team to plant 20 young oak, beech and sweet chestnut saplings at Moccas Park National Nature Reserve, Bredwardine, on May 4 and 10.
Seed for the saplings was taken from the deer park's veteran trees, which are up to 600 years old.
"The trees support all sorts of wildlife, including rare fungi, beetles, lichen, bats and birds like the little owl. It is essential for all this wildlife that new trees are planted to continue the line," said English Nature's Helen Stace.
The historic landscape will be open to the public on Sunday, May 14, as part of English Nature's national Wild Day Out.
A chance to hear the dawn chorus in the park at 5.30am starts the programme and is followed by the main activities between 10.30am and 5.30pm.
These includes bluebell and fallow deer walks in the old park, an area normally closed to the public.
Wildlife safaris, a tree earthwalk, pig roast and a dusk bat trail complete the wild day out.
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