Grassland conservation

Meadow creation schemes

On some sites meadow communities have been restored using native plant seeds. These seed mixes frequently contain a wide range of species including some not naturally occurring in the area or habitat for example:

• Lady’s Bedstraw
• Fodder Burnet

To avoid this problem meadow creation schemes in the Valley now only use seed collected locally.

Grazing

Smaller grasslands are mown annually but grazing is generally preferred.

The majority of fields in private ownership are horse grazed.

To add variety to the Valley's grasslands cattle grazing is used where possible on nature reserves using traditional breeds such as Highland and British White. This grazing is often in conjunction with grazing schemes on the internationally important heathlands surrounding the Valley.