Press Release 6th June 2011
A project to restore traditional species rich hay
meadows is being extended into Nidderdale Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB) this summer after a successful project across
some of the other Yorkshire Dales.
The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust's (YDMT) Hay
Time Project has been working across the Yorkshire Dales since 2006
and has helped to restore over 160 hectares of hay meadows. The
extension of the project into the AONB will involve harvesting seed
from existing species rich meadows and spreading it on to a site
that needs restoring. This can be done either by using a seed
harvester and spreading the seed directly onto the restoration site
or by cutting green hay from an existing site and spreading it onto
the restoration site before it dries then as the hay dries the
seeds fall introducing new species to the site.
As well as looking extremely beautiful in mid
summer traditional hay meadows are very special habitats. They can
be botanically very rich, often with over 30 species of plant per
square metre, and also provide an important habitat for a wide
variety of wildlife including nesting birds. In addition they are
an iconic part of our rural heritage.
Marian Wilby, FWAG/AONB Farm Conservation Advisor
said: "As well as improving habitats and being part of our heritage
the restoration of species rich hay meadows also has benefits to
the farmer. Many meadows can be restored under Environmental
Stewardship Schemes receiving funding for restoration and annual
payments of up to £270 per hectare. They can also be used to
supply seed to other sites in the future for financial
reward."
Hay meadows were once a common sight across
Nidderdale AONB but changes in farming practice, in
particular ploughing, re-seeding, silage management and addition of
inorganic fertilisers, have led to a severe decline in
the number and diversity of species rich hay meadows.
Nidderdale AONB Volunteers will be surveying meadows this
summer to identify our most valuable sites, sites suitable to
harvest seed from and sites suitable to restore. If you have a site
that you think may be suitable for restoring or harvesting seed
from please contact the AONB office on 01423 712950 or email
nidderdaleaonb@harrogate.gov.uk
.