About Us

Who we are

Herefordshire Meadows is a network of meadow managers united by an interest in restoring, creating and conserving flower rich grasslands as well as promoting their value as part of a productive farm business.

Formed in 2015, there are more than 900 farmers and meadow owners in our network.

What we do

We work collaboratively across the whole of the Herefordshire landscape, exchanging knowledge and skills on a wide variety of subjects:

  • Restoring flower rich grassland from semi improved swards
  • Grazing systems for diverse swards and healthy livestock
  • Creating meadows, wild flower strips and herb rich leys from arable land
  • Monitoring diversity and abundance of flowers, grasses, insects, birds and other wildlife
  • Benefitting from native grasslands

Why we’re here

Although wild flower grasslands have declined by 97% since 1940s we exist to strengthen and increase the remaining network of flower-rich grassland to improve the “Natural Capital” of Herefordshire.

This includes a whole range of public benefits that flower-rich grasslands provide to :

  • Support pollinators vital for food production
  • Maintain and increase wildlife habitat
  • Increase nutritional value and productivity of diverse swards
  • Improve drought resilience and carbon sequestration and storage
  • Help maintain healthy soils and clean air and water
  • Retain water for natural flood management and increased resilience in wet weather
  • Protect historic features
  • Improve mental and physical health, wellbeing and enjoyment of the countryside and heritage

Herefordshire Grassland Creation Policy Note

Herefordshire has a distinctive grassland heritage. Though our grassland is less-rich overall than celebrated and well-publicised examples such as the chalk grasslands of the south east, it is important that this is remembered and recognised particularly when considering species rich grassland creation. 

With this in mind County Botanical Recorder and Herefordshire Meadows Trustee, Stuart Hedley has produced a policy note on grassland creation for wildlife in Herefordshire along with recommended species lists for different soil types and species to avoid. 

POLICY ON GRASSLAND CREATION FOR WILDLIFE IN HEREFORDSHIRE v2