If you want to get more involved in our work you can help us by joining 
Gateshead Voluntary Countryside Rangers. The Voluntary Rangers take part in a wide range of work such as tree planting or carrying out wildlife surveys.

The Northern Kites project, now ended, was one of the northeast's most high profile wildlife initiatives. The aim of the project was to return breeding red kites to the region after an absence of 170 years and to provide opportunities for people to enjoy and appreciate these spectacular birds. The project was the first in the world to re-introduce kites into a semi-urban environment in Gateshead's Derwent Valley.

The Friends of the Red Kites (FoRK) are still active promoting Red Kite and their conservation. To find out more, including information on events and how to become a Red Kites Volunteer visit the FoRK| web page.

The Council runs a wide range of outdoor physical activities including family orienteering, cycling, beginners running,  boot camps, power walking, health walks and active gyms. For more information see the 2013 Outdoor Activities guide.|

What's New

Under New Management
Following a reorganisation within the Council the Countryside Rangers are now operating out of the Natural Environment Unit at the Civic Centre. You should not notice any change in countryside management within the Borough as the Rangers are still out and about as before.
Thornley and Swalwell Visitor Centres are also open as previously.

Bank Holiday Opening
Both Thornley Woodlands Centre and Swalwell Visitor Centres will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday - 27th May.

Closure of Thornley Woods
Thornley Wood is currently closed due to ongoing forestry operations and restoration works. We expect the woodland from Winlaton Mill to re-open by the middle to the end of May 2013. Following this opening visitors to Thornley Wood should take extra care on uneven surfaces on footpaths until repairs are made.

For more information continue to check this web page or contact Thornley Woodlands Centre.|

Events

Flight of the Red Kite Photographic Exhibition
25th - 30th May
Thornley Woodlands Centre
The photographic exhibition 'Flight of the Red Kite'
|is back at Thornley Woodlands Centre by popular demand!
For more information on Centre opening times see Thornley Woodlands Centre.

Get Fit in the Outdoors!
For a wide range of Outdoor Activities including family orineteering, running for beginners and cycling at sites including Watergate Forest Park, Bill Quay Farm, Whickham Thorns Activity Centre, Saltwell Park and Windy Nook Nature Park see the 2013 Outdoor Activities Guide.
|For more information ring 0191 433 8112

Walk Your Way to Health with Gateshead's Red Kites
The Friends of Red Kites are continuing with FREE Health walks every Monday afternoon starting from the 6th May until the 26th August.
For more information see the Friends of Red Kites| web page.

Family Wildlife Activities at Thornley Woodlands Centre
Gruffalo Walk - Animal Habitats and Homes
Saturday 1st June - 10am - 12noon
Suitable for under 8's. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
£5 for 1st child, £4 for 2nd child.
Please book in advance with Greeneye on 07905227145. 

 

Ash Die-back Disease

For the latest information on the disease see the
Forestry Commission Ash Die-back| web page.

The disease has been brought into the country on imported Ash plants from Europe. It has however, only been identified in small pockets of the UK. Nevertheless, the disease (Latin: Chalara. fraxinea) could appear anywhere, especially where young Ash trees imported from Europe have been planted.

Gateshead Council is currently checking any Ash trees that are reported as potentially showing signs of the disease, which has been discovered in other areas of the UK. The highly contagious infection, called Ash Dieback, can wipe out the affected tree and spread to other Ash trees extremely quickly.

At this stage the advice received from Government scientists is to report all suspected sightings of the disease to the forest Research Tree Health Diagnostic Advisory Service; The Forestry Commission Plant Health Service and the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate.

Ash Die-back Disease is being treated as a quarantine pest under national emergency measures, and it is important that suspected cases of the disease are reported to the Forestry Commission or FERA.

What should I do if I think my ash trees have the disease?
You should first attempt to correctly identify the disease by calling in a reliable contractor or specialist (not the Local Authority). If suspected, it should be reported to one of the following Forestry Commission (FC) and Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) / Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)　addresses below

Forest Research Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service
T: 01420 23000 ddas.ah@forestry.gsi.gov.uk|

Forestry Commission Plant Health Service
T: 0131 314 6414 plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk|

FERA Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate
T: 01904 465625 planthealth.info@fera.gsi.gov.uk|

Contractors and felled Ash materials
Identification of the disease is important as is good sanitation. So, felling and pruning wood, leaves etc. should not be transported or introduced into wood chip and mulch. Rather, it should be burned on site if possible and, contractor’s tools should be sterile cleaned afterwards and before using on other Ash trees.

Identification of the disease is important as is good sanitation. So, felling and pruning wood, leaves etc. should not be transported or introduced into wood chip and mulch. Rather, it should be burned on site if possible and, contractor’s tools should be sterile cleaned afterwards and before using on other Ash trees.