No

Date/Time

Activity and Location

1

Sunday 8 January

10.00 am

Lagan Valley Regional Park at Drumvale - Tree and Woodland Management

Grass and vegetation is being cleared around young trees and scrub cut back in this scenic area near the Lagan.

Leader: Ken Orr

2

Sunday 22 January

10.00 am

Lagan Valley Regional Park at Drumvale - Tree and Woodland Management

Further scrub clearance will be undertaken, continuing from the work on 8 January.

Leader: Steve Clarke

3

Sunday 12 February

10.00 am

Lagan Valley Regional Park at Lester's Dam - Pond Improvements

We will be removing the excessive growth of aquatic plants to create more open water, which will improve the biodiversity of the dam, for example, encouraging more insects.

Leader: Janis Lunn

4

Saturday 18 February

2.00 pm

Grass Roots AGM, Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church Hall, Ormeau Road, Belfast

There will be a guest speaker from the Lagan Canal Trust. There will also be a review of the past year and quiz, followed by tea. All members and friends are very welcome. 

5

Sunday 26 February

10.00 am

Dyan Mill near Caledon - Pond Improvements

We will be clearing aquatic plants and vegetation to improve the quality of the millpond for wildlife. 

Leader: Anne Hardcastle

6

Sunday 11 March

10.00 am

Saintfield Estate near Saintfield - Tree Planting

We will be planting trees to help improve and sustain the woodlands.

Leader: Ken Orr

7

Sunday 1 April

10.00 am

Lagan Valley Regional Park near the Eel Weir - Scrub Clearance

Areas of scrub are being cut back to allow regeneration and let other plants flourish.

Leader: Steve Clarke

8

Saturday 14 April

10.00 am

Conservation Volunteers Saturday Green Gym

We will be joining the Green Gym group who do conservation projects at various sites in Belfast every weekend.    

Leader: Anne Hardcastle                              * Note that this is a Saturday event*

9

Sunday 29 April

10.00 am

Conservation Volunteers Ballysillian Allotment, North Belfast - Path Construction

This is a new and expanding allotment where local people grow their own food. We will be helping to improve the infrastructure, including paths and raised beds.

Leader: Janis Lunn

10

Sunday 13 May

10.00 am

Lagan Valley Regional Park near Drum Bridge - Himalayan Balsam Control

Himalayan Balsam is an introduced plant which spreads aggressively and shades out other native plants, hence we are pulling it early in the season before it can seed.

Leader: Ken Orr

11

Friday 18 May

7.00 pm

Evening Walk along the Lagan Canal at Moira

We will follow the Lagan canal tow-path from Moira along the Broadwater.

12

Sunday 27 May

10.00 am

Wildflower Nursery at Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Belfast - Plant Propagation

Activities to support the growing of native wild flowers at the wildflower nursery.

Leader: Steve Clarke

13

Sunday 10 June

10.00 am

Lagan Valley Regional Park near Drum Bridge - Himalayan Balsam Control

Further Himalayan Balsam pulling will be undertaken continuing from the work on 13 May.

Leader: Janis Lunn

14

Saturday 16 June

Grass Roots Summer Outing

A day out to visit the Boyne Valley World Heritage Site including Newgrange. Further details from Ken Orr - confirm places by 8 June.

15

Sunday 1 July

10.00 am

Lagan Valley Regional Park at Moreland's Meadow - Path Repair

Work will include cutting back vegetation and resurfacing a stretch of path for improved public access to this scenic location near the Lagan.

Leader: Anne Hardcastle

16

August

Saturday & Sunday

Dates to be confirmed

Inishowen, County Donegal - Drystone walling

It is planned to undertake a weekend project rebuilding a dry stone wall, approx 20 miles north of Londonderry/Derry, on either the weekend of 11 &12 OR 18 & 19 August. Contact Ken Orr if you are interested in going.

17

Sunday 26 August

10.00 am

Lagan Valley Regional Park at McIlroy Park - Habitat Management

An area of overgrown gorse bushes is being cut back to encourage regeneration and reduce the fire hazard.