In the last few years we have created 15 extra hectares of wildflower meadows and verges in Belfast, Fermanagh, Cushendun, and Castleward, bringing our total meadows to over 40 hectares – that’s about 80 football pitches of meadows in Northern Ireland!
As well as meadows, we manage wildflower rich dune systems, peatlands, woodlands, wetlands, gardens, hedgerows and orchards - all important for the survival of pollinators like bees, moths and butterflies.
Our Wildlife Adviser, Melina Quinn is encouraging everyone to discover one of our wildflower meadows this summer and if possible, create your own wildflower space at home too.
‘A walk through a meadow to see our native grasses and wildflowers in bloom can really lift the spirits,’ Melina explains. ‘Wildflowers however are not simply pretty to look at but make a big contribution to the health of other wildlife too. They attract a huge variety and number of pollinating insects including butterflies, such as meadow browns, small coppers and common blues, as well as hoverflies and bees.'