13 June 2007
Create your own Dartmoor haymeadow
Dartmoor’s haymeadows contain a striking array of wildflowers, sometimes including uncommon plants such as the greater butterfly orchid. They also support a variety of other wildlife and on sunny days will hum with activity. Sadly, traditional haymeadows are now few, small and fragmented and there is a risk that these important habitats may disappear altogether. Action for Wildlife: the Dartmoor Biodiversity Project, has once again, organised a 2-hour workshop which will take place on Saturday 23 June. This event will provide the opportunity to discover more about Dartmoor’s haymeadows and find out how to create one in your garden or on your own land, using hay bales cut from surviving Dartmoor haymeadows.
The workshop will be held at Southcombe, where landowner Dr. Seale will describe the method the he has used with great success to create four acres of this wonderful habitat. Frances Cooper, Action for Wildlife Officer, will introduce the diverse range of plants, including species such as yellow rattle, eyebright, ox-eye daisy, spectacular orchids and meadow grasses, and explain the required management which is simple but essential to success.
Action for Wildlife Officer, Frances Cooper said:
'This is an opportunity to learn the techniques necessary to create your own wildflower-rich meadow and support this very special habitat.’
Meet at 10am on Saturday 23 June in Widecombe-in-the-moor at the Teignbridge District Council car park (OS grid reference: SX719768) next to The Café on the Green. This event is FREE of charge. Children must be accompanied. No dogs please.
Please wear appropriate outdoor clothing and strong footwear and bring a hat and water to drink if the weather is hot. The site is on a slope and may be slippery especially after rain.
If you can’t make it to the workshop, but would like to request a copy of a leaflet, Biodiversity in Your Backyard: How to Create Your Own Dartmoor Haymeadow, contact Action for Wildlife on (01626) 831072.
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For Further Information
Frances Cooper,, Project Officer, Action for Wildlife – The Dartmoor Biodiversity Project.
Tel: (01626) 831027 email fcooper@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Notes for Editors
Action for Wildlife (external link, opens new window) was launched in September 2001. It followed on from the highly successful pilot Dart Biodiversity Project. The project is managed by Dartmoor National Park Authority on behalf of a steering group of funding partners including; Dartmoor National Park Authority, English Nature, the Environment Agency and the Duchy of Cornwall.
The overall aim of Action for Wildlife is to ‘maintain and enhance the wildlife resource of Dartmoor’ by helping people who live and work on Dartmoor to carry out practical action on the ground. The project focuses on key habitats and species identified in the Dartmoor Biodiversity Action Plan.
Action for Wildlife – The Dartmoor Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)
Action for Wildlife: The Dartmoor Biodiversity Action Plan has been produced by the Dartmoor National Park Authority, with financial assistance from English Nature, on behalf of the Dartmoor Biodiversity Steering Group. It outlines the objectives, targets and actions considered necessary to protect and enhance the wildlife heritage of Dartmoor. It is a companion document to The Nature of Dartmoor: A Biodiversity Profile (published by the Dartmoor National Park Authority and English Nature), which describes the wildlife resource of Dartmoor, identifies key species and habitats and sets key conservation objectives.
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This page last updated 13 June 2007
