Grass Clippings
A frosty start
January has brought an unexpected cold snap, with six consecutive days of frost last week. This was a welcome change to last winter with rain falling constantly on to an already saturated golf course.
Below zero temperatures are advantageous at this time of the year and is helpful rather than a hindrance. Frozen ground helps reduce pathogen activity in the turf surfaces, keeping in check harmful diseases that would damage fine turf surfaces.
Frozen moisture in the turf canopy will also expand in volume, creating voids and fissures that remain when the moisture defrosts. In these airspaces, roots from the grass plant will be attracted to throw out root hairs to capture moisture and freely available nutrients.
In the distant past, a cold snap and snow were as predictable as clockwork in the first few months of the year, but, with our ever-changing climate, the media reported that last year was the ‘was the warmest year ever’. This is a half-truth in that the announcement pertained to the global surface temperature as measured by Copernicus, the EU’s climate research group. This statement will have a significant effect in relation to large continental land mass and the world’s oceans. Whereas in the UK, the islands are also warming, but our weather and temperature is also dominated by the jet stream. As demonstrated last week, the jet stream can drag down polar temperatures down in the minus digits or whip in moist air from the Atlantic that can bring rain for weeks or months through the winter. So, although the predictability of a whiteout isn’t as assured as decades gone by, it certainly shouldn’t be ruled out in the future either.
National Trust ambitious birthday plans
The National Trust is to embark on ambitious plans to address ‘catastrophic’ decline in nature and fundraising more than in previous century. The director general marks National Trust’s 130th birthday by unveiling ambitious plans for the next decade. These strategies follow the largest public consultation ever carried out by the National Trust, with more than 70,000 people – including members, volunteers and industry partners – sharing their views on the Trust’s work and direction. The Director-general of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady said: ‘For 130 years, the Trust has responded to the crises and challenges of the time. Today, nature is declining before our eyes and climate change is threatening homes and habitats on a colossal scale. Meanwhile, millions of people can’t enjoy the benefits that green space and heritage bring”.
The 10-year goals
◊ Fundraise more in the next decade than in the previous century
◊ Invite people from all walks of life to ‘adopt’ plots of land at ‘nature super sites’ around the UK
◊ Work with others to create 250,000 more hectares of nature-rich landscape – equivalent to one-and-a-half times the size of Greater London – both on its own land and off it
◊ Inspire 5 million more people to give their time, voice or money in support of conservation charity’s vital goals
◊ Restore vital peatland; and improve the health of enough soil to provide a habitat for one billion earthworms – enough to ring the earth twice
◊ Support 100 towns and cities to transform and grow green space
◊ Forge a new partnership with Mind to help address unequal access to nature and the mental health crisis
◊ Introduce National Trust Ambassadors, including classicist, author and broadcaster Professor Mary Beard; and historian, broadcaster and film-maker David Olusoga
◊ Open its first site in the heart of Coventry: the Grade 1 listed, 14th century former monastery The Charterhouse with a walled garden and further green space
◊ Launch an apprenticeships scheme for 130 young people in areas including countryside management, gardening and project management
Over the next ten years the Trust will work in partnership with environmental organisations, farmers, landowners and local communities to create 250,000 hectares of nature-rich landscapes.
With a focus on restoring peatland, improving the quality of the water in rivers, and reconnecting landscapes, the Trust will make strategic land acquisitions in support of this goal, and also support other landowners to manage their own land well for nature.
The National Trust will significantly grow people’s access to nature and history over the next ten years, with a view to eventually ending unequal access. The Trust has taken on the management of its first site in the city of Coventry. The outside area includes a beautifully landscaped walled garden, and wider green space with wildlife pond and community orchard, children’s play area and grassland park. The Trust is also opening Grantham House in the centre of the town of Grantham. The 14th century town house will offer a new community space and café, as well as free access to five acres of gardens including formal lawns and a walled garden. The gardens, community space and café open to the public from March. The National Trust is developing a partnership with Mind, and will be working with other organisations, to ensure the conservation charity’s hundreds of nature-rich places can help more people, particularly younger people with mental health problems.
With founding partners Natural England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Trust is inviting towns and cities across the UK to be part of a new programme, Nature Towns and Cities.
