DOG OWNERS PLEASE TAKE YOUR DOGS MESS HOME

The FOQNR fully endorse our Chair Councillor Keith Linnecor in he's attempts to get the Clean up your dog,s mess campaign going in the area.
The Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve welcome dogs on the Queslett Nature Reserve as long as they are kept under control.
But we do ask dog owners to bag their dogs mess and either put it in a bin or take it home.
We would also like to thank the many responsible dog owners who already do this and lead the way by their actions.

Brenda
Sec
FOQNR

PLEASE DO NOT PLANT WITHOUT PERMISSION

One of the things which is of concern to the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve and the Council Parks department is well intentioned users of the QNR will sometimes introduce none native plants to the reserve.
It is the Police of the Reserve to where possible only to plant native species. (Plants by and large which are natural to this country or in some cases have been here for over 250 years.
Many none native species of plants can cause a lot of problems to native species and are better not being in the reserve.
If in doubt before planting anything in the reserve please check with the Parks department or the FOQNR.

TRAINING TO WORK ON THE RESERVE

Despite it being bitterly cold and trying to snow yesterday (sat) a brave hearty bunch of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve took part in a training session on the reserve with a senior Parks Ranger (James). The session included pruning in safety and tree maintenance work.
It was an interesting session and the Ranger in charge gave an excellent display in the correct method of pruning and an interesting talk on tree maintenance. He also went through basic pruning tool use and safety before testing those present.
WITH REGARDS TO SAFETY SOME OF THE KEY MESSAGES WERE ALWAYS ENSURE YOU WORK SAFELY, REMEMBER TO BE CAREFUL OF THOSE AROUND YOU AND TREAT ANY TOOLS YOU USE WITH RESPECT.
We all found it very worth while despite the cold. Thanks also to Kharlid Mahmood MP for popping along to the start of the session.
The FOQNR hope to hold more such sessions hopefully in better weather conditions latter in the year.

Looking for funding 2012

Bob wilde Vice Chair FQNR

Vice Chair Bob Wild and FQNR Secretary Brenda are busy again filling in forms left right and Centre applying for funding to help improve the Queslett Nature Reserve. Apart from the Oscott Ward Committee there is very little support forth coming in these hard pressed times.
The time consuming bureaucracy involved just has to be seen to believed.

We know times are hard but If you would like to donate a little something or have any ideas who the FQNR may approach for funding please email Brenda on brendafoqnr@yahoo.co

Please note membership of the FOQNR remains free and the committee are all volunteers.

Dont forget to feed the birds.

WE are in another cold spell by the looks of it please do not forget to feed the birds.

FOQNR LINKS WITH CRIME PREVENTION GROUP

Brian Brooks in he's joint role as senior NPI Coordinator and member of the FOQNR helps keeps the Police informed of problems in the reserve.




The FOQNR are closely linked with volunteer Community Crime prevention Groups, and in Particular with the Oscott Neighbourhood Police Initiative.
Working with groups like the NPI helps ensure that problems like anti social behavior which may occasionally happen in the reserve get report to the Police and Ranger Services. The NPI has a member on the FOQNR committee to help cement and promote this link.
The NPI like the FOQNR actively promotes the idea that members of the public can help prevent problems on the reserve by being the eyes and ears of the authorities and reporting any acts of anti social behavior or vandalism.

The reserve is a large one and the Police and Rangers can not be everywhere and on there all the time, the more of using it and keeping a eye on it the better.

Its more than just a reserve

As members of the Friends of the Queslett Nature Reserve will be aware the FOQNR is not just about the reserve. We also look after the Aldridge Road Recreation Ground for example.
The FOQNR also takes an interest in other Environmental issues in the Oscott area.
For example some of use take part in small grot spot litter picks across the Oscott Ward as part of Councillor Keith Linnecor,s (the Chair of the FQNR) Grot squad team.
There are only limited things we can do as volunteers but I like to think it all helps.

Letter
Brian B
Member FOQNR