Volunteers help keep meadows blooming
September 12, 2013
Last weekend a team of volunteers from Dales Holiday Cottages donned their boots and donated their time (even the birthday girl Caroline!) to help us with the important task of restoring wildflower hay meadows in the Dales and the Forest of Bowland.
The volunteers helped to collect ripe seeds from a variety of wildflowers to propagate seedlings for nearby meadows that have lost some of their botanical diversity and wildlife value.
Hand collecting seed, which will be used to help re-establish certain species of wildflowers in degraded meadows
Sarah Robinson, our ‘Bowland Hay Time’ project officer said: “It was wonderful to receive a helping hand from the enthusiastic volunteers from Dales Holiday Cottages and their families when it came to collecting seed from areas unsuitable for machine harvesting. We are very grateful to Dales Holiday Cottages for their financial support which allows us to continue vital work like this to protect and enhance the countryside for people and wildlife.”
Dales Holiday Cottages, part of Wyndham Vacation Rentals UK, has been a business partner of ours since 2006 and has given a total of £12,400 to date to support our work, as well as volunteering to help with projects like hay time and woodland restoration.
Managing director of Wyndham Vacation Rentals UK, Geoff Cowley, said: “As a business we have strong roots in the Dales – it’s where we live and work, and every day we promote the area to others, so it’s important to protect the natural environment around us. The YDMT is carrying out vital conservation activities and the work they do in the area is invaluable.”
Seed Spotters: The dedicated team from Dales Holiday Cottages
Locally sourced wildflower seed has already been added to more than 300 hectares of degraded meadows to reintroduce wildflower species and restore this important wildlife habitat.
Support from businesses is essential for projects like hay meadow restoration to continue. If you are interested in getting involved please read our website for more information www.ydmt.org/business-supporters & please get in touch.
