Friday 11 January 11:00-15:00
Location: Tenchford Bridge, B2224, TQ152210, Knepp Castle Estate, Shipley
Contact on the day: Fran Southgate 07769 886696

Sussex Otters and Rivers Project (SORP) is fighting to save the black poplar - one of the county’s rarest trees - from extinction.

With volunteer support from across Sussex, the project is helping to conserve the black poplar and its natural habitat by planting thousands of new trees. Wet woodland is scarce but incredibly valuable for some of our rarest wetland species such as the otter.

Floodplain woodlands are an almost extinct habitat type in Sussex and without intervention these trees are likely to become extinct in the near future.

On Friday 11 January 2008, the planting of over 1,300 riverside trees will be completed on a one hectare site at Tenchford Bridge near Shipley by Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) staff, West Sussex County Council Low Weald Volunteers and Gatwick Green Space Volunteers.

Heading the project is Fran Southgate, SORP Officer. She said, “This area will be one of the first wet woodlands with native poplars in Sussex. It includes nearly 70 black poplar trees taken as cuttings from the only 33 remaining mature black poplars in the county. The Sussex Black Poplar Group has been working to save the black poplar for ten years. By recreating its traditional habitat, it is hoped that these rare trees may be able to reproduce naturally for the first time.”

Charlie Burrell, the local landowner is actively helping to restore wildlife to the whole of the Knepp Estate. This floodplain woodland planting project is just one of his initiatives. The Estate is also working closely with local organisations to restore over 2 km of river to its natural state, as well as over 5000 acres of land to more natural, wildlife management.

The black poplar planting is organised by SORP - a unique partnership between the Environment Agency, SWT, South East Water and Southern Water Services. SORP works towards the sustainable management of river landscapes, and the restoration of wetland habitats for both people and wildlife.

-ends-

For more information on SORP visit the website www.sussexotters.org
or SWT’s own website www.sussexwt.org.uk