“The aim is to create a mosaic of habitats, including meadow, hedgerow, pond, wetland, scrub, coppice & traditional orchards” Colin Grove, Trustee
Our Sites - The Reserves
We presently own and manage about 320 acres of land.
Old orchards and flower-rich grasslands are part of the Vale's historic landscape. However, they are disappearing from the Vale so it is our priority to raise money to purchase and continue to manage orchards and meadows of local importance. We work with local farmers to ensure that our sites are managed properly; grassland is cut after mid-summer for hay and grazed with sheep and cattle. This allows the wildflowers to set seed before being cut.
Our orchards are still managed to produce fruit but we keep wildlife in mind; appropriate pruning leaves some dead-wood for insects and management of the grassland under the trees ensures an excellent display of wildflowers. We also own and manage a small plantation and an area of high-scrub. These sites are being managed to maintain tree cover, while opening up areas to allow wildflowers to bloom and young trees to grow.
Our orchards are still managed to produce fruit but we keep wildlife in mind; appropriate pruning leaves some dead-wood for insects and management of the grassland under the trees ensures an excellent display of wildflowers. We also own and manage a small plantation and an area of high-scrub. These sites are being managed to maintain tree cover, while opening up areas to allow wildflowers to bloom and young trees to grow.