A group of students has planted wildflowers at Sugar Hill, near Nawton, just a mile from their school, in a bid to help combat the rapid loss of wildflower species. This loss has severely affected pollinators, birdlife, and soil health over the past 90 years.
The project is part of a larger effort to reintroduce wildflowers into the landscape, supporting local wildlife and promoting a healthier ecosystem. By planting these flowers, students are playing a key role in restoring vital habitats for native species.
Amy Carrick, Education and Engagement Officer with the Ryevitalise Landscape Partnership Scheme, organized the planting event, working closely with local landowners, schools, and conservation groups such as the Forgotten Flora Project.
Carrick expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying, “It’s inspiring to see students actively participating in biodiversity conservation. Their efforts are crucial in reversing the decline of native species and helping people appreciate our natural heritage.”
The Ryevitalise Landscape Partnership, led by the North York Moors National Park Authority and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, focuses on conserving the River Rye catchment area and reconnecting local communities with the region’s wildlife and history.
A key partner in the project, the Forgotten Flora Project, works to boost wildflower biodiversity in the Howardian Hills and surrounding areas. Funded by the Howardian Hills National Landscape, the initiative aims to restore local ecosystems by reintroducing endangered and lesser-known plant species that support a variety of wildlife.
Through collaboration with schools and local volunteers, the Forgotten Flora Project collects, grows, and propagates wildflowers. The project not only helps restore ecosystems but also encourages a deeper connection to nature and environmental stewardship.
Local landowners Anne Barbara Twine and Michael Tanner have provided an ideal planting site, thanks to their commitment to habitat conservation. They manage the land using selective grazing with rescue ponies and horses, which helps slow-growing wildflowers establish themselves by reducing competition from faster-growing grasses.
The ponies also naturally disturb the soil, creating space for wildflower seeds to take root. Grazing is carefully timed to match the growth cycles of both grasses and wildflowers, reducing grazing intensity during peak flowering seasons and increasing it afterward to control grass dominance.
In addition to grazing, Twine and Tanner have created special habitat zones, such as ponds and scrapes—shallow depressions that form temporary wetlands. These areas provide feeding and breeding habitats for wading birds and other wildlife, mimicking natural processes that promote biodiversity.
Carrick emphasized the importance of community collaboration, saying, “This event, supported by the Howardian Hills National Landscape, North York Moors National Park, Autism Plus, and volunteers, highlights the power of working together to conserve our environment.”
With more than 97% of the UK’s wildflower meadows lost since the 1930s, initiatives like this one are more vital than ever. The partnership between Ryevitalise, local schools, and the Forgotten Flora Project serves as a model for community-driven conservation, showing how small, local actions can have a significant impact on the environment.
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