Join West Devon Wildlife Wardens & ParkLife SW to maintain the new wildlife meadows in Tavistock created with volunteers in April this year.

This is a wonderful chance to dive in, work hands-on, and gain real experience maintaining and improving habitats.

In this session, we will rake and remove the cuttings and scarify the area to break up the outer surface of the soil. This will prepare the site for us to sow Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) seeds recently harvested from Hope Wood, the new community woodland and nature recovery site at South Brent.

By sowing Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor), often known as the ‘meadow maker’, into the developing meadow, we can help shift the balance away from vigorous grasses and towards a more varied mix of wildflowers. As it grows, Yellow Rattle attaches to nearby grass roots and reduces their growth, opening up gaps in the sward and allowing more light to reach the soil. Over time, this creates better conditions for wildflower seeds to germinate and spread, helping the meadow become richer, more colourful and more valuable for bees, butterflies and other wildlife.

This is one of multiple wildflower meadows being created and managed to help increase biodiversity in Tavistock. Once established, they will add life and colour to the town.