QED Biodiversity Group

Chair: Malcolm Still

About the Group ... The QED Biodiversity Group aims to maintain and enhance the overall populations and natural range of species and the quality and variety of wildlife habitats and ecosystems in Dartford. This encompasses internationally and nationally important and threatened species, their habitats and natural and managed eco-systems and the biodiversity of natural and semi-natural habitats. The group would like to hear from anyone who has carried out botanical and/or biological surveys in the local area. Please contact Justin Bettey at 01322-343250. Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group May 19 1998 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group June 30 1998 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group September 1 1998 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group November 3 1998 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group January 5, 1999 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group March 2, 1999 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group July 6, 1999 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group December 6, 1999 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group January 24, 2000 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group October 25, 2000 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group January 10, 2001 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group February 21, 2001 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group April 11, 2001 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group July 18, 2001 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group August 29, 2001 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group October 17, 2001 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group November 22, 2001 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group December 12, 2001 Minutes of the Meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group February 6, 2002 Participants in the QED Biodiversity Group include ... North West Kent Countryside Project Joydens Wood Support Group (Woodlands Trust) Dartford Beekeeping Association and Bee-Breeding Group Fancy some hands-on experience in conservation work on Dartford Heath? Dartford Ranger Richard Pullman is looking for volunteers to help with conservation work on Dartford Heath. The volunteer group meets weekly on Tuesdays 10.00-14.00, and monthly on Sundays 10.00-12.30, assembling at 10.00 in the Heath Lane Car Park. For further information please call Richard at 01322-343056 or 0976-308534. Biodiversity Links ... Project 2000 in the former grounds of Cramlington House, Northumberland. A Local Agenda 21 Project in partnership with Blyth Valley Borough Council. "The core value of the Project 2000 team is to promote horticulture and the environment by building a collection of rare and important plant species". The Project has extensive overseas links. English Nature Links Page - your gateway to many organisations concerned with Biodiversity, including the Countryside Commission, Environment Agency, RSPB ... Butterfly Conservation - conserving butterflies! The Mammal Society - conserving mammals! QED is pleased to present news of the Trees for Towns initiative on behalf of Gardening Which? Magazine. Field poppies growing on the corner of a plot at Dartford Road Allotments. During the period when one tenancy lapses and another commences a plot can become overgrown quite rapidly, with poppies a particularly common sight from early June. These little red islands provide refuge for wildlife and forage for bees, beyond their value to local biodiversity and as a landscape feature. So new plotholders are encouraged to leave areas like this until the blooms have passed - when carpets can be spread to suppress further growth. Poppies flourish whenever deeply cultivated land is newly neglected. Other flowers are cultivated on purpose to provide natural protection against pests (marigolds deter blackfly, and fried egg plants attract the hoverflies whose larvae consume greenfly), and sweet peas are grown with runner beans to attract the bees. Companion planting is an environmentally friendly and aesthetically attractive alternative to pesticides - on the allotment and in your own back garden.

Return to QED Home Page