Hay meadow restoration

Flower-rich meadows are among our most treasured habitats. They stir memories of childhood visits to fields awash with colour and alive with insects.

But over the last 100 years approximately 97% of meadows in the UK have been lost. This is largely due to changes to modern intensive farming methods.

Although an increasingly rare sight, there are still some excellent hay meadows in Nidderdale National Landscape.

Reversing the decline

We’re working with volunteers and landowners  to reverse this decline  by enhancing and restoring hay meadows at carefully selected sites.

Seed is harvested locally from species-rich meadows and spread on meadows that have lost their special species.

We’re aiming to restore or enhance 80 hectares of meadow habitat at 58 sites across Nidderdale.

Get involved

If you’re thinking about creating a meadow on your land, or you have a flower-rich meadow you’d be willing to donate seeds from, please get in touch with us.

Mini Meadows

You can support local wildlife by growing your own mini meadow in your garden!

Creating a mini meadow is as easy as leaving a patch of grass to grow.

To help you get started and pick the best spot we’ve made the guide below.

You never know what might species might pop up in your garden! Got something growing, and you’re not sure what it is?  Get in touch with us, we can help ID mystery plants.

And please share your mini meadow experience with us!  We’d love to see what’s growing around the National Landscape.