Forest of Mercia Youth Rangers prepare to clear heathland
Forest of Mercia Youth Rangers prepare to clear heathland

Volunteers have been getting help from Lichfield District Council’s countryside team as they clean up heathland in the area.

In recent weeks work has been underway to clear scrub from heathland at Gentleshaw Common and Chasewater Heaths.

If left unchecked scrub – such as bracken and brambles – can choke rare heathland plants and destroy the fragile habitat.

Chris Walsh, Lichfield District Council’s Countryside Officer, said:

“Everyone worked really hard and we managed to clear a large area of encroaching scrub. It’s really important that we keep the scrub under control, because the heath would soon revert to woodland and we would lose this lovely habitat that supports a wide variety of rare wildlife.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.