Life on the Verge in the Lincolnshire Wolds....

• is the continuation of Britain's largest hunt for roadside wildflowers.
  
• aims to identify vital corridors for grassland wildlife throughout the Lincolnshire Wolds during 2011-12.
• will be running 12 free Wildflower Identification Field Classes between June and July at various locations this summer.
• is launching a new survey season on 1st June 2012.
• depends upon local volunteers of all skill levels - please help in the survey if you can!

Why is roadside grassland important?

With the right management, grassland growing on chalk soils can be one of the most diverse habitats in the country and a riot of wild flower colour in spring and summer. Both the variety of wild plants and animals it supports and its relative scarcity in Britain and Europe make this a habitat of high conservation value. Richer ‘drift’ soils, also found in the Wolds, support an additional suite of grassland plants and associated wildlife.

Scarce and declining grassland plants include orchids, meadow saxifrage, adder’s tongue fern and vital food plants of declining butterflies. Threatened birds dependent on grasslands include barn owl, corn bunting, grey partridge, linnet and skylark. Sadly, there has been a sharp decline in the extent of species-rich grassland across the country, particularly in the last 60 years due mainly to changes in farming practices.

Road verges represent a vital opportunity to link the few remaining patches of species-rich grassland across the landscape. A well cared for network of verges can act as green corridors that help plants and animals move as they need to cope with disturbance and adapt to climate change.

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Click here to find out what Life on the Verge is doing in the

Lincolnshire and Rutland Limestone Natural Area.

Website News
10th Feb 2012

FREE WILDFLOWER ID FIELD CLASSES Dates have been finalised and we are now ready to take your bookings for this summer’s Wildflower Field Classes. Events will be held throughout June and July at Elsham, Badger Farm (near Stenigot), Hemingby and Willoughby.

PROGRESS SO FAR Over 35 volunteers have so far been active in the Lincolnshire Wolds and have surveyed 250 km of verge involving over 400 hours of volunteer time. This great response has helped to cover 734km of verge in one year!

LIFE ON THE VERGE LIVES ON! In April 2011, £50,000 provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund grant scheme 'Your Heritage' made continued exploration possible! Following two hugely successful years of survey work in the Lincolnshire and Rutland Limestone Natural Area, a recent funding boost from the HLF created the opportunity to extend this project to the Lincolnshire Wolds National Character Area. The extended project area includes not only the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) but the countryside from Spilsby to the Humber.

Plants as a source of nectar
Common Knapweed provides a vital source of nectar for butterflies like the Small Copper.
Photograph: Matt Cole