Last week saw the first student visit to the Muchwood and Mary’s woodland site managed by The College of Animal Welfare (on behalf of The Woodland Trust).
The main purpose of the visit was to take the first steps in the creation of a wildflower meadow. Wildflower meadow is a seriously threatened habitat that has declined by 97% since the 1930s. Alongside the rarer plant species that have declined by almost half the common wildflowers such as cowslip and oxeye daisy are also at risk. Wildflower meadows support a wide range of invertebrates including bumblebees, insects, and butterflies, which in turn attract other wildlife species.
The CAW Wildflower Meadow Creation project used two methods for planting: the first method involved removing a 2m square area of turf, turning over the topsoil and sowing wildflower seed directly onto the soil; the second method involved introducing pot grown wildflowers into a 2m square grassy area and planting them in a group into the turf. The plants used were of local provenance and contained a mixture of cowslip (Primula veris), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), field scabious (Knautia arvensis), devils-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), and small scabious (Scabiosa columbaria).
Wildflowers prefer nutrient poor soil so alongside the digging and the planting the students also tackled the removal of grass cuttings. Branches overhanging pathways were also removed to maintain the site for public access throughout the winter months.
The students did a fantastic job and all of the tasks were completed with enthusiasm despite the blowing wind and cold temperatures. Well done to the Level 3 Animal Care students!
