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80-Year Farm Becomes Wildlife Haven
29 Sep
Summary
- A 70-acre site will be restored to an orchard and wildlife area.
- The 30-year project aims to enhance grassland with wildflower mixes.
- Native species like brown hares and hedgehogs are expected to benefit.
A 70-acre site in Hertfordshire, farmed by the same family for approximately 80 years, is set to be restored to its former glory as an orchard and wildlife area. The extensive, 30-year project will begin at Pipers Hill, near Hemel Hempstead, later this year.
Organized by Naturum, the initiative will enrich existing grasslands with specialized wildflower and herb seed mixes. This restoration aims to create vital habitats for native British species, including brown hares, hedgehogs, great crested newts, common toads, and the Small Heath butterfly, which have been impacted by decades of arable farming.
The site, adjacent to Highpark Wood and the Great Gaddesden Water Meadows, will reinstate a traditional orchard lost over a century ago. This effort is part of Hertfordshire's Local Nature Recovery Strategy, prioritizing woodland, scrub, and grassland regeneration. It is also anticipated to reduce stress on the River Gade, a chalk stream facing challenges from contemporary agricultural practices.
