Wildlife Maintenance at the Co-op Field
When: Wednesday 1st April 2026
Time: 10am to 12pm
What to expect: Meet at the posted coordinates to support Chesham Environmental Group to continue the regular maintenance of the nature corner of this field, including the bug hotel, herb bed and bee scrape bank. Tools are available, but you may want to bring your own loppers / shears / secateurs / pickaxes / rakes / forks. Litter pickers and bin bags will be provided. Please wear appropriate clothing, footwear and gloves. The Field can be accessed between 14 and 16 Chapmans Crescent, or up the footpath near the junction of Shortway and Deansway (see the additional waypoints).
Please aim to arrive as close to 10am for the collection of tools for the session as some of us may be spread out across the far corners of the area litter picking. If you think you'll arrive late, please do let me know, and do head for the headline coordinates to seek out the tasks for the session. It is also important to sign in on the Chesham Environmental Group's register so you are covered by their insurance. This takes place at 10am. It also gives them an idea of how many volunteers help them throughout the year. I will have my own logbook, which will be available to sign at the start and end of the CITO.
What to bring: Tools are available, but you may want to bring your own secateurs / broom / shears / weed extractor / loppers / dustpan & brush, or anything you feel may be useful. Litter pickers and black bags will be provided. Please wear appropriate clothing, footwear and gloves. If you do not have these tools, please let me know in your Will Attend log, so I can inform Chesham Environmental Society and they can provide spares.
Parking: There is some on-street parking nearby. However, it is a residential area, so please be mindful and not to block driveways
Additional information about Co-op Field, Chesham:
The Co-op Field is a sloping 4-acre field, near Asheridge Road. In 2017, it was agreed to mow an area at the top of the field less frequently to encourage a greater diversity of plants to grow. In 2019, this area was extended following the removal of the old play area. A variety of wild plants have been recorded on the site, including comfrey, cow parsely, garlic mustard and germander speedwell.
In 2021, the Council agreed to change the management of the whole field, so that the field is only mown once a year in late summer, with the exception of paths that will be mown through and round the field to assist walkers. This change in management will reduce our carbon footprint and also give us an opportunity to work with the Chesham & District Natural History Society to see what grows naturally across the whole field. It will also be interesting to see how this change provides habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. In the first season of changed management, volunteers from Chesham and District Natural History Society have already identified two species of orchid growing on site. We are working with the society to create additional habitats for invertebrates.
Attend a CITO between Sunday 1st March 2026 and Sunday 31st May 2026 to earn your CITO Season 1 2026 souvenir.