Pupils plant the way for wildflower habitats at new reserve

St Asaph school pupils have helped shape the first wildflower meadows at a new nature reserve.

Fresh from planting the first trees at Green Gates Nature Reserve, grown at the Council’s tree nursery on the site, Ysgol Esgob Morgan pupils have now planted the start of an important resource for local nature.

The pupils, together with Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity Team and volunteers have planted 2000 wildflower plants, grown from seeds sourced from county meadows at the tree nursery.

This is part of the ongoing works to create the nature reserve near St Asaph, which will eventually grow into a 70-acre site supporting local biodiversity.

The children helped plant species including (oxeye daisy, autumn hawkbit, cat’s-ear, black medick, red clover, bird’s-foot trefoil, and meadow vetchling) at the reserve which will see a total of 4 acres of meadow habitat.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion said, “It’s fantastic to have Ysgol Esgob Morgan here again to plant another part of history for this site which is right on their local doorstep for them to enjoy.

This development of meadow areas on this site will contribute to increasing species rich habitat across our county capable of supporting more pollinators, such as bees, than regularly mown grassland.

“Since the 1930s nearly 97 percent of meadow habitat has been lost across the UK so this contribution at Green Gates is vital for supporting local nature that has been impacted by this massive loss. As we see these wildflowers that the children and volunteers planted flourish at the site they will help provide diversity, colour and knowledge for those in the future visiting this site and importantly give stronger support for the pollinators at risk who play a vital role in putting food on our own tables.”

The Green Gates nature reserve development is part of the Council’s response to protect and restore local nature habitats to contribute to the nature recovery goal.

Other work will see existing ponds restored, the creation of new ponds, the development of a wetland area adjacent to two small watercourses and creation of woodland, scrub and grassland habitat areas.

A new brownfield site will be developed and will help to support a variety of rare and important wildlife, and a new wildlife barn will be constructed to support roosting bats and nesting birds. The site has also been identified by Natural Resources Wales as a potential Site of Special Scientific Interest for great crested newts.

An accessible permissive pathway will be created to allow local residents to visit the area  and a raised viewing area will also be developed.

This work is funded by UK Government grant funding. Additional funding has also been provided from Denbighshire’s Climate and Nature Recovery Programme. Work at the tree nursery is supported by the Welsh Government, through the Local Nature Partnerships Cymru ENRaW project.