Birds Edge Countryside Project: Drystone walling and wildflower meadow creation project

The Birds Edge Countryside Project is located on the site of an abandoned garden centre nursery in the heart of Birds Edge that had fallen into disrepair. The site contains a wide variety of habitats including wetland, grassland, and woodland consisting of native British trees.

The main purpose of the project is to create a nature reserve that is fully accessible to disabled people, particularly those using wheelchairs, and to involve people with physical and mental health difficulties in its upkeep and management.

The BECside Charitable Trust is currently looking to create a traditionally grazed wildflower meadow as part of the reserve, to encourage a wider range of animal and plant species into the area. In addition, sections of the drystone wall that forms the site boundary have fallen into disrepair, with some areas having completely collapsed.

Drystone walling is a traditional countryside skill. Wildflower meadows give a great diversity of traditional British plants and provide a valuable ecosystem for insects, invertebrates, amphibians and birdlife to thrive in. It is now estimated that in the 50 years previous to 1984 over 97% of semi-natural grassland has been lost; so much so that it now has its own Habitat Action plan. The project at Birdsedge will allow volunteers to have hands on experience and training in these types of practical countryside work whilst at the same time improving the environment and creating new wildlife habitat within the local community.

Please pledge your support to this worthwhile project, which will benefit the local community, disabled people and the local environment.