As part of the company’s aim to be carbon neutral, a select group of Eiger volunteers joined the Surrey Wildlife Trust in Norbury Park for a Wild Work Day.

Activities included scrub clearance using hand tools to help preserve the rare heathland in the park. The group learned how to use tree poppers and loppers, as well as wielding pickaxes and bowsaws.

The reasons why we wanted to volunteer to help the SWT is explained in this extract from their website: Surrey has some 300ha of Flower-rich chalk grassland, alive with the excited humming of bees and beautiful dancing butterflies. The Trust manages some 15 chalk grassland sites.

Before the Second World War, chalk grassland was widespread, but this habitat has seriously declined. We have LOST more than 80% of our chalk grassland since the Second World War. This is partly due to changes in the way we use our land.

At its best, chalk grassland supports such an incredible range of different species that it has been referred to as Europe’s tropical rainforest. Many of these species are what we call specialists – they do not grow anywhere else – including stunningly delicate orchids, of which 16 species can be found in Surrey.

Chalk grassland must be managed effectively to stop invasive scrub encroaching. The Trust works closely with other landowners to encourage sensitive management and we are determined to improve chalk grassland habitat in the North Downs – with an ambitious target of creating or restoring over 23ha within the next five years.(Home | Surrey Wildlife Trust)

We were joined by staff from the SWT to clear an area of scrubland of hazel, blackthorn and other brambles to allow the wild flowers in the chalk grassland to germinate this summer.

Our thanks go to the SWT staff for their planning and support.