Latest News

Save the dunes!

Published: 23/12/2015

Recycle your old Christmas tree with Flintshire Countryside Service this year, and contribute to the restoration of important sand dune habitat. The Rangers are asking for real Christmas trees over four feet tall, in one whole piece and without decorations, to be donated after the festive period. Residents can take their trees to Wepre Park in Connah’s Quay, Where an area will be designated in the main car park, or the car parking area near Dangerpoint activity centre, Station road, Talacre, between Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 13 January 2016. Tim Johnson, Talacre Partnership Ranger said: “The shape and texture of Christmas trees make them the ideal material to catch windblown sand, which then begins to form a new dune. We will be carrying out a lot of restoration work next year, and so are asking for as many trees as possible to be donated.” Councillor Bernie Attridge, Cabinet Member for the Environment said: “This is a fantastic initiative, using leftover Christmas trees to conserve our natural environment and improve flood defences. I am sure the local communities will actively support the scheme again as they have done so well in the past.” Over the last 17 years Flintshire Countryside Service and its partners have stabilised the dunes by wind trapping sand and installing fences to minimise damage to the sensitive fore dunes. Beach nourishment schemes by Flintshire County Council engineers brought dredged sand to the beach further building up the fore dunes as a credible sea defence. Rangers, volunteers and student groups will be installing all the collected trees in the New Year.