The Wildflower Ark project aims to investigate, conserve and strengthen local plant biodiversity in Teesside and the Tees Valley area and to broaden public awareness of the importance of local habitats and their diversity.

The project began in October 1998 with funding to begin a plant nursery and seed bank of locally rare species and form a resource base of information gathered. A pilot education programme for schools based around wildflower germination packs with support in the form of practical help and advice on improving school grounds was very successful.

Support from local conservation bodies and local government, alongside more funding, has allowed the project to develop and work more closely with the local community. This is being achieved by:

* Setting up a plant distribution database on Recorder 2000 in partnership with Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, and providing space for an archive of material of historical interest.

* Bringing together local amateur and professional botanists and conservationists to form a network of expertise to collate information, verify records and provide mutual support.

* Expanding the plant nursery and seed bank by providing a new horticultural area at Nature's World that will house an expanded collection of plants of local origin for use in local conservation projects and provide a facility for local schools and community groups to grow local wildflowers for the enhancement of urban open spaces and industrial sites.

* Taking our work into schools. The Wildflower Ark Germination Kit has proved very successful. Children can sow, germinate and grow local wildflowers to plant out in their school grounds. This actively involves them in their environment. An accompanying resource pack of information for teachers supports the teaching of the local flora in school.

* Launching a public appeal, through the local media, encouraging members of the public to contact us with information about wildflowers in or near their community. This has lead to the discovery of several previously unrecorded urban sites, including one of a relic unimproved grassland in a housing estate open space that will now be designated a Local Nature Reserve and managed appropriately for the conservation of the plants by the Local Authority.

* Diversifying and enhancing sample habitats within the gardens of Nature's World. Habitat trails in woodland and meadows have been devised for use by visiting schools along with a trail for a model of the River Tees for the general public.

This work has been made possible by funding for two years by the Esmee Fairburn Foundation with additional funding for a year from NWET Landfill tax Fund.

For more information please contact Helen Herring/John Jenkins, The Wildflower Ark, Nature's World, Ladgate Lane, Acklam, Middlesbrough TS5 7YN

Tel: 01642 576611 e-mail wildflowerark@hotmail.com