From coast to fell, Cumbria’s endangered meadows have received a generous funding boost.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust has received £155,000 to transform 71 acres of grassland into species-rich meadows.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust and National Highways have joined forces to launch a new Network for Nature project. 

From limestone grassland in Arnside, one of the sunniest and driest places in Cumbria, to a site not far from the wettest place in Cumbria, 16 areas of grassland will be transformed into species-rich meadows and flowery pasture, to support a wide range of plants and pollinating insects.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust will work with landowners and tenants to create, restore and connect acres of grassland.

Around 15,000 plug plants will be planted to increase the range of flowering plants, give pollinators more opportunities to forage, and join up important habitats that are currently fragmented. 

Claire Cornish, Grassland Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “We are very grateful to National Highways for this brilliant funding. We live in one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. We’ve lost of 97% of lowland meadows which once hummed with the buzz of bees, and beautiful butterflies. So we must act now to save what’s left!

“There’s an amazing variety of wild pollinators in Cumbria, including bumblebees, hoverflies, solitary bees, butterflies and moths. They depend on flower-rich habitat to survive. The loss of this precious habitat, mainly through changes in farming practices, has led to their decline.

“Our vision for the future of these hay meadows is that by working with landowners, we can change management practices over the long term, join up fragmented places that can support a wealth of wildlife and provide amazing places for people to enjoy.”

Chloe O’Hare, National Highways Environment Team Manager for the North West, said: “It’s a great example of the work the Wildlife Trust is doing to safeguard a wide variety of species – both insect and plant – which play a vital role in pollination. This demonstrates the value and potential of our Environment and Wellbeing Designated Funds Programme, which ringfences funding for vital work such as this. We are proud to be supporting this transformation of grassland in Cumbria, and look forward to seeing the results in the future.”

There are opportunities for volunteers to help with surveying and plug-planting, keep an eye on Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s website: https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/events