On Thursday 12th March, we delivered two talks to two fantastic community nature initiatives at opposite ends of the county.

Cradley Wild is a small, dynamic group working collaboratively within the parish to make their village a pollinator friendly haven. During their ‘Bee Village’ launch event, Anna gave an illustrated talk on the importance of relaxing our grip in the garden to encourage and support native pollinators.

That same evening, Rory gave an online presentation to the Wye Valley Wilding group, a local network of landowners and nature enthusiasts, offering a broad overview of meadow habitats, their history, management and importance, as well as Herefordshire Meadows’ tried and tested methodologies for creating and restoring species-rich grasslands. You can watch the full webinar on the Wye Valley Wilding YouTube channel.

Gardens and meadows share an important similarity – they both require thoughtful management to remain what they are. Done sensitively, with understanding of the local environment and species, these man-made habitats can indeed be wild enough to play a crucial role for wildlife, providing a rich diversity of forage, shelter, nesting opportunities, and ecological interactions in forms which have been shaped through evolution. As well as providing space for nature, gardens and meadows can also both support nutrient rich food production… a win win.