The Wild Flower
Ark.
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, The Wildflower Ark, Nature's World, Ladgate
Lane, Acklam, Middlesbrough TS5 7YN
Tel: 01642 576611
E-mail
wildflowerark@hotmail.com
