[T]hirty students from the University of Cumbria joined forces with Cumbria Wildlife Trust recently, helping them plant over 1,300 plants in a wildflower meadow at Mallerstang in the Eden Valley.
The planting will give a tremendous boost to the existing hay meadows owned by Mr and Mrs Butterell at High Cocklake. This is the fifth year running that first year conservation undergraduates at the University of Cumbria have assisted with planting in these meadows. Christa Nelson, Grassland Conservation Officer from Cumbria Wildlife Trust, explains why this work is so important:
“Hay meadows have been in serious decline nationally since the 1950s and this is just one of several projects we are running at the Trust, to restore them. Hay meadows are important not just for the plants they support, but they can provide habitats for many different animals, including the brown hare, insects such as the great yellow bumble bee, and birds such as skylark, curlew, lapwing and twite.”
She continues: “Our Meadow Life project helps to ensure that stunning meadows, such as those owned by the Butterells, will be around for many future generations to enjoy. We are very grateful to the students who gave up their time to help us, and to Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust for funding this work, as part of the Westmorland Dales Hay Time project.”
Dr Volker Deecke, Associate Professor of Wildlife Conservation at the University of Cumbria, said: “The students had a great time and enjoyed the opportunity to get down and dirty for conservation! Getting involved in hay meadow restoration in their first week at university gives the incoming students an opportunity to get to know each other and make friends, but also introduces them to the amazing landscapes, ecosystems and people of Cumbria, their new home for the next three years.”
Find out more about how Cumbria Wildlife Trust is supporting hay meadows in Cumbria at www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk and go to ‘What We Do’.
