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01/02/2012 15:25: Lowland Meadow Creation at Pickard's Meadow

PICKARD’S MEADOW ON THE WAY TO BECOMING A WILDFLOWER HAVEN

WORK is underway to transform a disused piece of arable land into a flowering wildlife sanctuary thanks to funding from SITA Trust secured by Stockton Council.

Pickard’s Meadow within Wynyard Woodland Park is to be turned into ten hectares of lowland meadow providing a home for many different species of flowers, plants, pond life and other wildlife.

Stockton Council secured the £31,500 funding from SITA Trust’s enriching nature programme to transform the area using a mix of meadow seed and hand-collected wildflower seeds from nearby sites, gathered by local volunteers.

The funding will also see three stock ponds created for grazing animals, an owl nesting box and a footpath so visitors can walk through the meadow when it is in full flower.

Once complete the meadow will be the largest managed area of this type of habitat in the Tees Valley. This will account for four per cent of the national Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) target – a government target to help conserve the biological resources of the UK.

The Council is working with The Wildflower Ark (specialists in the flora of the Lower Tees Valley) to prepare and monitor the site, as well as other local environmental organisations such as Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and Teesmouth Bird Club.

Councillor David Rose, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "Until recently Pickard’s Meadow was an arable field. This project will see the land turn into a herb-rich lowland meadow which will greatly increase the biodiversity of this area providing food such as nectar, seeds and plants for insects, small mammals and birds. It will be a fantastic resource for the Borough and will provide opportunities for residents and visitors alike to see a rare natural habitat close up.

"The meadow will not only be an oasis for many species but it will have national significance - making up four per cent of the government’s national target for the creation of lowland meadow habitats. This is a great coup for Stockton and shows how much importance the Council places on creating and maintaining its award-winning green spaces."