The traditional wildflower meadow is in crisis
Lowland species-rich wildflower meadows and grasslands are our
most diverse yet our most threatened habitats. They are rich in wildlife,landscape character, folklore and history, and have been the inspiration for many of our greatest artists, writers and composers. They are as much a part of our heritage as the works of Shakespeare.

Despite this, the UK’s remaining meadow and grassland fragments
are still being ploughed up and destroyed.

How did it come to this?
Meadows and grasslands are being destroyed due to land use changes over the past 60 years. Intensive farming has resulted in habitats being ploughed or drained, with traditional forms of grazing needed for healthy meadows and grasslands abandoned, and diverse wildflower rich vegetation replaced with rye grass monocultures. The absence of conservation management and
continued ploughing threatens the meadows and grasslands that remain.

Help us to keep the colour in the countryside. Plantlife is looking to raise £25,000 to help safeguard the future for our beautiful wildflower meadows and grasslands.