Sowing the seeds of biodiversity success (From Western Telegraph)

Sowing the seeds of biodiversity success

Local schools and community groups have been helping a landowner out with converting improved fields to traditionally managed hay meadows.

The Countryside Council for Wales has been helping Nigel Card, director of Nant-y-Coy Mill in Wolfscastle, to manage three fields totalling six acres. Converting to traditionally managed hay meadows will benefit the biodiversity in the area, as well as giving visitors the chance to experience the old way of managing land.

On July 21st, pupils from Hayscastle primary school and the Hayscastle Young Farmers' group went to Camrose Farm, where owners Mr and Mrs Thomas allowed them to collect seed from their traditional hay meadow, which has not been ploughed in living memory. The seed will be dried and stored until September, and then broadcast on the fields at the mill, in the hope that the seeds will germinate there next year.

Increasing the range of grass and flower species in the fields will greatly benefit the biodiversity.

"Collecting seed from a local farm will start the reversion process off, and even though it may take several years, using local seed from species naturally occurring in the wild, it is invaluable to safeguarding the genetic integrity of our native species", said Gayle Wootton of the Countryside Council for Wales.

Visitors are invited to see the progress in the fields themselves when Nant-y-Coy Mill reopens for business shortly.