Carys Solman

PHI Survey and Plant ID Training day 12th June 2024

On Wednesday 12th June landowners, meadow makers and volunteers attended a training day with Herefordshire Meadows, to learn how to identify key meadow plants and carry out a grassland survey. Training took place on the fantastic Meadows at Hurstans, Soller’s Hope – where owner Fiona Fyshe manages species-rich grassland that was enhanced with seed from Joan’s Hill Farm, as part… Read more →

Improvements in species diversity at Herefordshire Meadows restoration sites.

Analysis of monitoring datasets 2019-2023 Over the last 5 years Herefordshire Meadows has been encouraging and assisting landowners to monitor the progress of their meadow restoration projects, via yearly botanical surveys, beginning with a baseline survey pre-restoration. The simple Rapid Assessment Monitoring method is used, where species are recoded at regular stops whilst walking a zig-zag route through the restoration… Read more →

Updated Meadow Monitoring survey sheets for 2024!

For 2024 we have introduced a slightly amended Rapid Monitoring recording sheet which we hope will assist the new tranche of meadow makers coming in under the Kingspan and other projects, as well as helping previous restoration site owners carrying out their annual monitoring surveys. Download the pdf survey sheet HERE or the Excel file HERE and visit our Survey… Read more →

The Grassland Gap: An evening talk with Plantlife

Our Zoom talk last Wednesday from Plantlife’s Grassland Advocacy Officer Jo Riggall was attended by 30 species-rich grassland enthusiasts, who all wanted to know more about this precious habitat getting the recognition it deserves.  It is available to watch online here and the presentation slides here. Jo gave a summary of the impressive work that Plantlife has achieved managing, restoring… Read more →

Good news from DEFRA about new rates for flower rich grassland

Good news about new rates for flower rich grassland in DEFRA’s recent announcement. Get ahead and make sure your eligible grassland gets on the Priority Habitat Inventory! Recent good news from DEFRA included new rates for species rich grassland, and we are celebrating with the Floodplain Meadow Partnership that floodplain meadows now have a special rate of their own too.… Read more →