Caring for the Cotswolds Grant
We're delighted to have received £1,750 from the Cotswolds National Landscape's Caring for the Cotswolds grant scheme. The grant means that we can now restore a 7.5 acre grassland bank at the farm by extending the grazing regime.
Lack of water on the bank has meant that the Belties have been reluctant to graze the slopes. Grazing is crucial as it prevents the dominance of aggressive grass species and results in a shorter grassland sward - allowing characteristic limestone grassland plants and invertebrates to thrive.
The restoration of the bank and farm is an important element in the Stroud Landscape Project. As the bank gradually supports more wildflowers, we'll be able to harvest the seed and extend our successful collection and sowing programme.
Conservation grazing
Grazing is a traditional way of managing grasslands. It not only creates a range of heights in the grass sward that increase the diversity of wildflowers and insects, but it does so without the use of harmful pesticides.
As an added benefit, the areas now grazed by the Belties at Boundary Court are providing the resident greater horseshoe bat population at nearby Woodchester Mansion with a vital feeding ground as they feast on the insects and beetles found in the dung.
