Happy Habitats attended The Arb Association Cornwall Branch Autumn seminars earlier this week with an impressive turnout from people involved in the arboriculture and forestry industry across the region.
Nigel here at Happy Habitats is a proud member of the Arboriculture Association, a must have resource in our industry. “The leading voice in all matters arboriculture.”
A full agenda was set out for us including topics on diseases, bio-security, highway tree inspections, looking at the Cornwall Council departments and questioning whether local councils along with the industry itself are creating urban deserts from planting non-native trees.
As well as the talks on trees we were treated to The Cornwall Beaver Project introduction, which I’m delighted to say is my 2nd presentation on the subject in just one week! Cheryl Marriot, Head of conservation at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust is an engaging speaker and I was grateful that she discussed their habitat in more detail. Beavers and the Arb industry share a lot in common – coppicing!
Beavers are acknowledged as a keystone species due to their positive impact on the environment and crucial role within an ecosystem. Unlike most people believe, beavers do not eat fish. In summer mostly vegetation and in winter they rely on bark and twigs for food, they choose to eat the fast growing species of willow and poplar by coppicing every few years to maintain their food supplies and branches for building.
Since the introduction at the project in Cornwall, It is fascinating to find out how they have positively changed the landscape through their management including damming where water is low. Nature’s sustainable architects and construction workers who can improve our areas prone to flooding and at the same time, create waterways and freshwater habitat where it could be of most benefit.
The Forestry Commission’s discussion on pests and diseases as well as bio-security measures allowed me to bridge a gap between Nigel’s and my Knowledge on the subjects.
Although Nigel is the tree expert here at Happy Habitats, both of us on site being able to detect issues only strengthens us here at Happy Habitats. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is essential in the industry and why we always take up the opportunity to further our knowledge.
