Volunteers have been broadcasting local seed by hand to restore Paddle UK’s Toll Paddock site on the River Wye back to a species rich floodplain meadow.
Toll Paddock, Hoarwithy, is located alongside the banks of the River Wye, Herefordshire.
The site lies within Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is designated a Special Area of Conservation.
The seed, which was sourced from a local provider included meadow vetchling, goatsbeard and yellow rattle.
Zoey Rowe, Director of Paddle UK, said:
“My 8 year old son and I joined other volunteers at Toll Paddock, Hoarwithy to hand spread the seed on site.
“Samuel took great delight in spreading the seed faster than me! We also checked the growing willow trees and hedgerow, replacing the protectors that the wildlife had knocked away.
“It’s so important for the younger generations to be part of volunteering and giving back as a matter of course, becoming an everyday normal part of life to look after the environment.
“What a wholesome and enjoyable Saturday morning thank you!”
Rory Johnson, Director and Meadows Adviser, Herefordshire Meadows, said:
“The new meadow help boost the biodiversity value of the site and the deep rooting wildflowers will also sequester carbon and improve the soil’s water storage capacity helping to regulate flows and reduce the impact of flooding further downstream.”
As the seedlings start to germinate in the autumn and over winter the field will be grazed periodically, depending on timing of flooding, to keep the grass short to benefit the emerging wildflowers.
More on the work that has been taking place at the site >>
The deep-rooted broad-leaved herbs will help to build up soil organic matter, and store carbon at depth.
They will also increase the water holding capacity of the field, slowing the flow and alleviating flood risk further downstream.
They will provide an abundance of food sources for invertebrates which in turn support other animals higher up the food chain.
Chantelle Grundy, Paddle UK’s Access and Environment Lead, said:
“The River Wye has lost much of the species rich floodplain meadows which used to characterise its lower reaches.
“Thanks to the help of volunteers and funding from Farming in Protected Landscapes, Paddle Uk has been able to restore Toll Paddock back to a species rich meadow.”
It will provide improved nature engagement opportunities for members of the public using the public footpath that passes through the site.
Volunteers have already completed a baseline survey of the species present and will continue to survey the site to monitor its success.
Paddle UK have been awarded Farming in Protected Landscapes funding to improve the habitat at our land in Hoarwithy.
Go Paddling : River Wye Paddle Guide >>
