This summer, the Trust will create and enhance 50 acres of new and existing flower-rich meadows across Cheshire. To do this, they aim to grow 50,000 wildflower plug plants in their Bickley Hall Farm nursery. The nursery plays a vital role in their meadow creation work and will support the growth of over 36 different wildflower species, including oxeye daisy and birds-foot trefoil. All the plants are grown from locally sourced, hand collected seed.  

A summer meadow is a beautiful sight with swathes of colour, buzzing with bees and other insects. Sadly, meadows have become a much rarer sight across the UK. In Cheshire a staggering 99% of meadows have been lost since the 1940s. Due to huge declines in wildflower meadows, it’s perhaps no surprise that nationally at least 50% of our insects have been lost over the past 50 years. 41% of the Earth's remaining five million insect species are now 'threatened with extinction'. 

How your donations can help: 

• £20 could pay for 20 wildflower plugs to be grown in the Bickley Hall Farm nursery. 

• £34 could pay for 5 bags of peat-free compost. 

• £50 could pay for soil sampling for one meadow. 

• £100 could pay for half a day of seed harvesting. 

Hannah Dalton, Senior Living Landscape Officer at Cheshire Wildlife Trust says: “We champion a collaborative approach, partnering with landowners who see the value of restoring their land for nature. This isn’t about buying land but empowering landowners to create meadows. As experts, we can guide them through every step, from initial soil analysis to the sowing of wildflower seeds and ongoing management. I’ve helped create, restore and enhance 296 acres of meadow so far, but there’s still so much more to do. We need your help to reach our ambitious target.” 

To find out more about Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s meadow creation work, meet the team and to donate to their appeal visit cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/meadows-appeal