The National Trust organized an event at Lanhydrock, a grand estate above the River Fowey, to launch a three-year project aimed at creating 250 hectares (617 acres) of wildflower meadows across Cornwall. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat the UK-wide decline in this species-rich habitat. Participants, including staff, volunteers, and the public, joyously scattered wildflower seeds in the meadow to kickstart the project. A community fiddle group, Bagas Crowd, provided musical entertainment and led a traditional Cornish jig called the “serpent dance” to help embed the seeds into the soil, replacing the need for machinery.
One key aspect of this project is the sustainable approach to seed harvesting, avoiding the purchase of seeds and instead carefully collecting them from other sites. This method not only reduces costs but also promotes sustainability, as the newly planted meadows can serve as donor sites for future projects. Various locations in Cornwall, including Tintagel cliffs, the Lizard peninsula, and Penwith, will receive these meadows. Species like oxeye daisies, betony, black knapweed, and yellow rattle were among the seeds sown during the event. It is expected that daisies and yellow rattle will bloom next year at Lanhydrock, with other species flourishing in the following years.
The project is a response to the significant decline of wildflower meadows in the UK, with approximately 97% disappearing since World War II, largely due to intensified farming practices. Beyond its ecological goals, the project aims to engage people in the planting process, fostering a deeper connection with nature and offering participants the opportunity to witness the positive transformation of these meadows into vibrant, insect and bird-friendly spaces over time.