Dala’s Green Mission - is a hybrid platform designed to document and promote sustainable environmental practices from my journey in both Angola and the UK. As a Chevening Scholar pursuing an MSc in Environmental Sustainability Education and Communication at the University of York, I aim to apply my expertise and passion for sustainability to engage the local York community in climate action and environmental education.
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Empowering Communities and Celebrating Diversity: A Volunteering Journey in Ouseburn Valley
Chevening Scholars Unite for Sustainability and Neurodiversity in Ouseburn Vall
Cheerful greetings!
My name is Sofonie Dala, a proud Chevening scholar in the UK.
On March 19, 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer alongside fellow Chevening scholars at the Ouseburn Trust Charity in Newcastle. It was a day that not only allowed us to make a positive impact on the environment but also helped celebrate the importance of neurodiversity during Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
As we arrived in the Ouseburn Valley, we were greeted by the vibrant street art and colorful murals that adorn the walls, showcasing the artistic spirit of this wonderful city. The atmosphere was warm, filled with a sense of community and shared purpose.
The tasks for the day, led by the volunteering instructor, were clear: gardening, litter-picking, and maintaining the footpaths. Despite the hard work, the energy was high as we joined together to care for the area.
Discovering Chondrostereum purpureum
One of the most fascinating moments of the day came when the instructor led us to a cut tree. It was infected with Chondrostereum purpureum, a fungal plant pathogen that causes silver leaf disease.
This disease primarily affects the rose family and can cause a striking silvery discoloration of the leaves. Learning about how the Ouseburn Trust monitors and prevents the spread of this pathogen to other plants was an eye-opener, showing the depth of care and knowledge required to maintain the health of the local environment.
When we arrived in the Upon Tyne area of Newcastle to clear the zone of invasive plants and old weeds, we were surprised to find an apple tree. It immediately reminded me of something I had learned just moments before about trees infected with Chondrostereum.
Silver leaf, caused by the fungus Chondrostereum purpureum, is a wood-rotting fungus that often affects apple trees, especially those that have undergone significant pruning or tree surgery.
The fungus has a broad host range, impacting not only apples and pears, but also stone fruits, as well as various woodland, hedgerow, and ornamental trees and shrubs.
March, being both Sustainability Month and Neurodiversity Week, added a special layer of significance to the day’s activities. Neurodiversity Celebration Week, running from March 17th to 23rd, encourages us to recognize and celebrate the talents and strengths of neurodivergent individuals. It’s a reminder to appreciate those who think differently and often produce exceptional, out-of-the-box solutions.
I couldn’t resist the opportunity to introduce the Climate Fresk cards to my fellow Chevening scholars. These scholars, from diverse countries and backgrounds, were studying various subjects at universities across the UK. The setting was perfect—playing the climate change game in the vibrant, green environment of Ouseburn.
After volunteering in the Newcastle upon Tyne area and taking a leisurely walk through Ouseburn Farm, where we enjoyed watching playful animals, we made our way to the Church Burial Ground in Ballast Hill Park.
There, we met a team who shared fascinating stories about the church and the burial of its members. We also helped them with clearing the park, contributing to the maintenance of the local heritage.
As the day came to an end, and we were wrapping up our volunteering work, my fellow scholars and I reflected on how lucky we were to contribute to the Ouseburn community.
While working, we also took the time to admire the natural beauty of Newcastle—the mix of lush greenery, artistic spaces, and local culture that made it such an inspiring place to be.
The feeling of making a tangible difference in such a beautiful city was fulfilling, but it was also a chance to recognize how volunteering brings people together, celebrates diversity, and helps build stronger, more connected communities.
Our journey back to York was peaceful, but the impact of the day stayed with us. It was more than just about volunteering—it was about the joy of coming together for a cause, appreciating the environment, and recognizing the diverse ways in which we all contribute to the world around us.
As we reflect on the day’s activities, it’s clear that our volunteering aligns with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the broader impact of our efforts.
1.SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: By volunteering in the Ouseburn Valley, we contributed to enhancing the physical, social, and economic environment of the area, helping create a more sustainable and inclusive community.
2.SDG 13 - Climate Action: Through tasks like gardening, litter-picking, and maintaining footpaths, we actively supported the preservation of local green spaces and contributed to combating climate change at the community level.
3.SDG 15 - Life on Land: The work we did in managing the health of trees and plants, including addressing the spread of the Chondrostereum purpureum fungus, directly supports biodiversity and the sustainable management of natural resources.
4.SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities: Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a key opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate the talents of neurodivergent individuals, helping to reduce inequalities and promote inclusivity in all spheres of society.
Our volunteering experience, marked by collaboration, environmental care, and celebration of diversity, exemplifies how small actions can have a lasting impact on advancing these important global goals.
Discovering Chondrostereum purpureum: Implications for Plant Pathology and Environmental Management
A pivotal moment during the fieldwork occurred when the instructor introduced us to a tree infected with Chondrostereum purpureum, a fungal pathogen responsible for silver leaf disease. This pathogen primarily affects members of the rose family, including economically and ecologically significant species like roses, cherries, and plums. The disease manifests as a striking silvery discoloration of leaves, leading to reduced photosynthesis and, ultimately, the decline or death of affected plants.
From an academic and environmental management perspective, the discovery of C. purpureum highlights the importance of early detection and intervention strategies. The Ouseburn Trust’s proactive approach in monitoring and preventing the spread of this pathogen provides valuable insight into sustainable plant management practices. Their methods of containment, including removing infected plants and implementing quarantines, demonstrate a comprehensive approach to minimizing pathogen transmission in local ecosystems.
Key Benefits and Potential Harm:
•Benefits: Understanding the pathology of C. purpureum enables more effective disease management, reducing crop losses in horticulture. It can also inform broader conservation efforts by enhancing the resilience of plant communities to invasive pathogens.
•Harm: The pathogen’s ability to spread quickly and damage key plant species could lead to significant ecological disruptions, particularly in urban green spaces or agricultural areas where susceptible plants are concentrated.
Future Directions:
Further research could focus on identifying resistant plant varieties, improving diagnostic tools for early detection, and assessing the broader ecological impacts of C. purpureum on biodiversity. Integrating fungal pathology into environmental management frameworks could help mitigate both the economic and ecological costs of this pathogen.
Observation and Recommendations for the Ouseburn Trust on Utilizing Chondrostereum purpureum for Biocontrol in Tree Management
Observation:
Chondrostereum purpureum presents a unique opportunity for the Ouseburn Trust in advancing ecological tree management while reducing the environmental impacts of traditional methods. As a biocontrol agent, this fungus is highly effective at preventing the sprouting of unwanted hardwoods, which is a key concern in forestry management. The fungus works by invading freshly cut tree stumps, where it decays the wood and disrupts the physiological processes, effectively preventing re-sprouting and controlling the overgrowth of invasive hardwoods. Importantly, C. purpureum does not require stringent environmental conditions to thrive, making it a robust solution in various climates, including the temperate and boreal zones.
The fungus offers several advantages over traditional methods such as chemical herbicides, which pose environmental risks. C. purpureum is cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable over a long term, with stump mortality persisting for up to four years after treatment. However, there are also risks, including its potential to spread to non-target tree species, as well as the need for careful application to ensure effectiveness.
Key Recommendations for the Ouseburn Trust:
1.Implement Targeted Inoculation Strategies:
The Trust can use C. purpureum in a strategic, targeted manner, particularly for the control of invasive hardwood species that sprout prolifically from stumps. By applying the fungal inoculum to freshly cut stumps, the fungus can inhibit regrowth, reducing the need for repeated physical thinning and thereby lowering operational costs in the long term. It would be beneficial for the Trust to assess the specific tree species in their management areas and tailor inoculation techniques to maximize efficacy based on the species’ susceptibility to sprouting and decay.
2.Develop Cost-Effective Inoculation Devices:
Given the fungus’s efficacy and the importance of its targeted application, the Ouseburn Trust could collaborate with researchers or innovators in forestry technology to develop cost-efficient devices for inoculation. This could involve gel-based inoculum mediums that can be easily applied to large areas without significant labor costs. Devices like sprayers, brushes, or automated applicators could facilitate quicker application while ensuring uniform coverage.
3.Monitor Ecological Impacts:
While C. purpureum offers significant benefits for sprout control, the Trust should carefully monitor its ecological effects on surrounding plant communities. Since C. purpureum is capable of infecting various broadleaf species, it is important to ensure that it does not negatively affect non-target trees, especially those of high ecological or aesthetic value. Regular monitoring will help assess whether the fungus is causing unintended harm to valuable local flora.
4.Conduct Long-Term Efficacy Studies:
To optimize the use of C. purpureum in different environmental conditions, the Trust should consider conducting long-term studies on its efficacy and sustainability in the local ecosystem. By tracking the performance of the fungus over multiple years, the Trust can refine its techniques and potentially identify the most effective fungal strains and application times for different tree species.
5.Educate the Community and Stakeholders:
As public perception of fungal biocontrol may vary, it is essential for the Trust to engage with the local community and stakeholders about the ecological benefits and safety of using C. purpureum. Providing information on how the fungus works, its benefits in reducing chemical use, and its role in sustainable forestry management can help build support for its adoption and reduce any concerns regarding potential risks.
Conclusion:
By adopting Chondrostereum purpureum as a biological control agent, the Ouseburn Trust can significantly enhance its tree management strategies, reduce environmental impact, and ensure long-term sustainability. With thoughtful application and monitoring, this fungus offers a powerful, eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods, ultimately contributing to healthier, more balanced ecosystems in the areas they manage.
Reference
Alonso, F., Delgado, M., & Fernández, J. (2020). Pathogenic fungi in plants: A review of common diseases caused by fungal pathogens in plants. PMC Retrieved from
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