On 8th June, Dr Paul Cross, senior lecturer at the School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, gave a fascinating talk on some of the key challenges facing pollinators. Drawing upon data from several large collaborative research projects, Dr Cross presented the unequivocal evidence that pollinator numbers have fallen sharply in the past 50 years. Dr Cross then went on to… Read more →
How to set up a simplified BEEWALK training session
On 2nd June Sue Holland led a zoom training session explaining how to carry out our simplified BEEWALK survey method including; how to choose the route, set it up on BEEWALK and how to carry out the surveys on a chosen site. All of the resources mentioned in the talk can be found on our surveying and monitoring page under… Read more →
Meadow Plant ID training session
On 26th May County Plant Recorder Stuart Hedley led an excellent zoom training session on meadow plant identification aimed at beginners and improvers. Stuart began by outlining to members how to properly carry out a rapid monitoring assessment survey. Stuart then went on to teach some essential ID tips covering all of the most distinctive species of Herefordshire’s lowland meadows… Read more →
Rootwave Pro demonstration
On May 12th Stephen Jelley, Global Head of Sales for RootWave, demonstrated the potential of using electrical treatment as a means of controlling perennial weeds at one of our Meadow Maker sites. RootWave’s Electricide technology produces a 5000V charge which boils weeds from the root upwards. The technology is relatively new but advancing all the time and it offers an… Read more →
Catch up: A Smallholders Experience of Machinery for Flower Rich Meadows
On 5th May Tim Daniels gave an excellent presentation describing the methods and machinery he uses to manage his 5.5 acres of flower rich meadows near Longtown on the edge of the Black Mountains. Tim has also worked closely with Peter Tierney and together they have provided green hay for meadow restoration projects across Herefordshire. Some of the meadows that… Read more →
Flower rich meadows: where to begin?
If you are curious about creating a wildflower meadow but uncertain how – or perhaps even why – to begin, there are some brilliant resources available online to guide you through the very basics. Vicky Bowskill, farmland ecology researcher and writer of the blog “Tales from the Quadrat”, has created a short video to describe why meadows are such vital… Read more →
Catch up: Principles of Creating Flower Rich Meadows
Caroline Hanks, Rory Johnson and Sue Holland discussed the basics of restoring land to a wildflower meadow. For those interested in meadow making or already involved in the process, the talk explained the key steps. This included how to prepare the land for seeding, where to source wildflower seeds and when to introduce grazing stock. A range of equipment and… Read more →
Catch up – Better together: how facilitation groups are transforming nature recovery
On 8th April the White Peak Farmers group hosted the first talk of their new Networks for Nature: Facilitating Collaborative Farming webinar series. The discussion looked at how the collaborative approach adopted by Farmer Facilitation Groups around the country is leading to impressive results on the ground. The talk began with Natural England’s Brian McDonald, Manager of the Countryside Stewardship… Read more →
Plantlife launches new surveying app for 2021 Great British Wildflower Hunt
The 2021 Great British Wildflower Hunt has just begun and this year Plantlife have developed a new, free surveying app ‘Survey123’ so that participants can use their smart phones to collect and submit their wildflower data. Over the sping and summer Plantlife will run four different Hunts with over 70 different iconic British Wildflowers to look out for. This is… Read more →
Catch up: Tom Blunt on Utilising Native Breeds for Conservation and Regenerative Grazing
On 9th March Tom Blunt, from the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), gave a comprehensive overview of the role that native rare breeds can play in conservation and regenerative grazing systems. A large number of different livestock options were discussed including; sheep, goats, cattle, equines and pigs. Tom explained some of the differences between species and breeds and their pros… Read more →