Save Our Magnificent Meadows is the UK’s largest conservation partnership project aiming to transform the fortunes of vanishing wildflower meadows, grasslands and wildlife. The partnership, led by Plantlife, was made up of 11 organisations and was primarily funded by National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund. The partnership’s vision was to bring about this reversal in fortunes through a step-change in the nation’s understanding and appreciation, with project activities running from 2014 to 2017.
In the final year, this conference provided an opportunity to hear about the work that had been taking place across the UK, both within and outside of the project, and to identify the action still needed to restore and protect our unique grassland heritage. It focused on three main areas of activity:
Click on the links below to download a pdf of each of the presentations from the conference.
Introduction to the day and overview of Save Our Magnificent Meadows. By Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Plantlife
The Coronation Meadows Project. By Ben McCarthy, Director of Strategy, Plantlife
The Particular Challenges of Restoring Meadows on Floodplains. By Emma Rothero, Outreach Coordinator, Floodplain Meadows Partnership
Meadow Champions – Being Outstanding in Their Field. By Mary Tate, Save Our Magnificent Meadows Community Engagement Officer, Medway Valley Countryside Partnership
Cultural Connection in Northumberland. By Steve Lowe, Head of Conservation, Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Working with the Farming Community in Fermanagh. By Giles Knight, Save Our Magnificent Meadows Conservation Officer, Ulster Wildlife
Somerset’s Parish Meadows Initiative – Bringing Meadows to the People. By Pippa Rayner, Save Our Magnificent Meadows Community Engagement Officer, Somerset Wildlife Trust
Meadow Links Project – Overcoming Issues, Empowering Communities. By Tanya St Pierre, Hay Time Officer, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust
The Flexi-graze System – An Overview. By Stephen Comber, Manager, Flexi-graze
Past and Potential Future Roles of Agri-Environment Schemes. By Steve Peel, Senior Specialist in Eco-agronomy, Natural England
Supporting Natural Heritage – A View from the Heritage Lottery Fund. By Drew Bennellick, Head of Landscape & Natural Heritage UK, HLF
Lessons Learnt from Save Our Magnificent Meadows. By Kate Measures of Heritage Insider, independent evaluators of Save Our Magnificent Meadows
Click on the links below to download a pdf summary of each of the three workshops
Workshop A - How can species-rich grasslands (SRG) be made economic and part of a commercial farming system?
Workshop B - What are the knowledge and skills gaps with community groups – in relation to developing community meadows?
Workshop C – How can ‘wellness’ be incorporated into how we manage species rich grasslands and are there any conflicts?