Category: Public

On Saturday, March 25, we worked diligently on the hillside below Dívčí Hrady from the morning. Rakes, pitchforks and sacks were in permanence, as we raked the cut bushes together with the old wood chips and transferred them to large piles. A lot of volunteers from the public also arrived, so the work went pretty smoothly. Before noon, the youngest participants took a trip to the Jinofarm community farm, from where the goats will be moved here below Dívčí Hrady during the spring. The children were happy with them for now and then they just returned to the fire, by which we had lunch together. Even though some of the volunteers gradually left after lunch, we were still digging in a fairly large group until almost four in the afternoon, before the dark clouds began to descend. Just before the abundant spring break, we managed to clean up all the tools and go under the roof. Many thanks to all the helpers and we look forward to seeing you, for example, when observing butterflies!

After the sheep and goat grazing, there were small stubbles and stunted shoots left on the hillside above Asuan reservoir. Therefore, it was necessary to pull out the brush cutter before winter. We mowed a larger area of ​​the hillside, which then had to be raked and cleaned. Pupils from the nearby FZŠ prof. Otokara Chlupa helped us a lot. In several groups, they dug up cut branches and twigs. All the biomass was then carried or dragged into large piles. After work, they deservedly enjoyed a fire with sausages.

An excursion to Dívčí Hrady was organized as part of the international conference ECCB held at the Czech university of Life Scieneces in Prague. Almost thirty scientists and conservationists from Europe and other countries had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with interesting biotopes and individual management measures that are taking place within our project.

At the turn of July and August, a mosaic cutting of vegetation using brush cutters took place on the slopes above the Asuan Reservoir. The chopped biomass was raked and cleared away. A “volunteer hay event” for the public was organised. Unfortunately, only one volunteer, Matěj, came due to the extremely hot weather and a last-minute change of date. Despite that, Matěj was not afraid of work and helped us a lot! We also mowed the previously sowed nectar-bearing plots to support slower-growing and less competitive target plants.

The amount of wood chips and rubbish above the Asuan reservoir was so large that it was not possible for the members of the project team to clean the entire area. Fortunately, pupils from the FZŠ Prof. Otokara Chlupa, also took part in the work within the Patronages project under the auspices of the Scout Institute. With the rakes, they set out to help not only the butterflies, but they also managed to save the overheated toad. Over the weekend, their efforts were followed by other volunteers who, in addition to the feeling of a job well done, could sit by the fire and refresh themselves. Although there is still some work to be done, there is less wood chips and rubbish.

Do you want to help nature and missed our last event? Or have you been there and want to experience it again? Participate in the wood chips raking and garbage cleaning around the Asuan pond in the Prokop Valley in Prague: 50.0455628N, 14.3467067E

The event will take place on Saturday 26^th March from 9:00, if the weather is nice. If you are interested, write to us at: insectecologygroup@gmail.com. We will offer REFRESHMENTS in the form of sausages and drinks (beer, lemonade). Beautiful weather guaranteed!

On Saturday, March 5, we cleaned the garbage and removed the wood chips that remained after cutting and crushing the overgrowth trees and shrubs around the Asuan pond. A total of 12 people participated in the event, both team members as well as enthusiastic volunteers. THANK YOU VERY MUCH (VOLUNTEERS) and we hope to see you again! There is still plenty of chips to remove. In the next step, sowing of nectar-rich plants and other interventions to support endangered butterfly species will begin.