Bees on the verge of habitat boost from wildflower scheme

The Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has confirmed it is beginning the first wildflower survey of all the area’s roadside verges next month, as well as 60 hectares of meadow habitat as part of a restoration project lasting until 2015.

Those behind the project hope the newly-planted wildflowers will help support local bee populations that have declined markedly in the past few years.

AONB development officer Kelly Harmer said: “Wildflower meadows are part of the farming history of the area and also attract visitors to Nidderdale.

“But they have been shrinking through modern farming techniques and fertilisers putting extra nutrients in the soil which mean more common place plants thrive.”

Between 2012 and 2015, the AONB hopes to restore 80 hectares of species rich hay meadow in more than 50 fields.

To complement the verge and meadow survey work, the Friends of Nidderdale AONB are inviting people to record and illustrate wildflowers in verges near where they live to help compile a record of species flowering this year.

Visual records will be displayed at the Nidderdale Agricultural Society Show in September. Contributions should be sent to the AONB office.

Friends of Nidderdale AONB trustee Ted Flexman added: “Our verges and meadows contain a valuable remnant of what was once more widely spread and it is hoped the work planned for 2012 will help many people appreciate what we have.”