The importance of meadows

Meadows attract a multitude of wildlife and often support flora and fauna that cannot thrive in other habitats. Typically characterised by species such as black knapweed, ox-eye daisy, yellow rattle, hawkbits, vetches and rarer orchids, they can also support colourful waxcap fungi with names such as parrot, snowy and crimson. In addition to being aesthetically beautiful, they are ecologically important as they provide areas for pollinating insects, nesting, food gathering, shelter and even animal courtship displays. Flower-rich meadows can also be historically important, part of our local rich heritage and their enjoyment can contribute to our own wellbeing.

Like other ecosystems, meadows experience increased pressure due to climate change, especially as precipitation and weather conditions change. However, grasslands and meadows also have an important climate change mitigation potential as carbon sinks; deep-rooted grasses store a substantial amount of carbon in soil.

The loss of wildflower meadows, botanically richer than any other habitat, has been staggering; 97% have been lost since the 1930s. 75% of remaining meadows occur in small fragments and remain vulnerable to destruction.  Over the last 30 years we have seen the drastic decline of meadows and species rich grassland on Exmoor which has also affected the populations of important species, such as pollinators, that are dependent on them. It is estimated that Exmoor has only 2500ha of flower-rich meadow remaining…….we want to change that.

How can donations to CareMoor help?

Your donations will help us to restore, create and link species-rich grassland on Exmoor. 

We are now working with 59 landowners, managers and community groups to restore, rejuvenate, and create wildflower meadows across over 325 hectares of Exmoor. Our Sowing the Seeds project officer Lucy Cornwall has been busy undertaking soil and botanical surveys to monitor the success of seeds sown, as well as assessing how best to create more meadows. Donations to CareMoor have supported our purchase of a straw chopper and salt spreader and trailer, all essential for this work.

We’re collaborating with the National Trust to skills share on meadow creation techniques and have run workshops on plant identification skills.  We’ve also run sessions with school groups at our Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Learning and pupils from a local primary school have assisted us in planting seeds for a new meadow area in their playground.

In 2024, we’ll be setting up a wildflower nursery to grow more plants and become a community growing hub. This will be an important resource for propagating meadow plant species such as devils-bit scabious, which benefits from nursery propagation.

Donations will continue to help us work with communities across Exmoor to create and restore species-rich grasslands and look to inspire an appreciation of our valuable meadow habitats.

Every £10 donated will help us create and manage 10m2 of wildflower meadoe and continue this important work.

You can also support the appeal by sending a special Sowing the Seeds greetings card and certificate for just £13, which can make a really meaningful gift  please visit https://shop.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/collections/post-cards