Volunteers helping boost biodiversity in the Severn Vale
A new Community Growing Hub at WWT Slimbridge is now open to supply native floodplain meadow plants to habitat restoration projects and community groups in the Severn Vale.
A new Community Growing Hub at WWT Slimbridge is now open to supply native floodplain meadow plants to habitat restoration projects and community groups in the Severn Vale.
The hub, run by local volunteers, is growing a huge range of wildflower plug plants from seeds harvested sustainably across the Severn Vale.
This dedicated crew of volunteers is working in a refurbished polytunnel at Slimbridge, and will be growing up to 50,000 plants a year, spread between around 20 different species.
These include Bird's-foot trefoil, Corky-fruited water-dropwort, Cowslip and Meadow sweet which previously made the Severn Vale’s meadows so special.
We want these plants to support the creation and enhancement of wet grassland habitats in the Severn Vale landscape over the next few years to help reverse historic declines.
Wildlife-rich floodplain meadows are not only beautiful, but beneficial; potentially providing flood mitigation and storing substantial quantities of carbon.
Plants are available now and can be ordered for the 2024 planting season. We would welcome queries from schemes creating or restoring wet grasslands or floodplain meadows and are offering free plants to community groups carrying out similar projects.
Dr Sue Kinsey Community Action Coordinator at WWT Slimbridge said:
I’m delighted that the Slimbridge Community Growing Hub is up and running. With support from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, Eversheds Sutherland and our incredible volunteer team, WWT is now in a great position to aid the recovery of the Severn Vale’s iconic floodplain meadows with our native and locally sourced wildflower plug plants.
