Essex Wildlife Trust has launched an appeal to raise £125,000 to fund an essential conservation grazing programme to support rapidly declining grasslands.
Grassland habitats are amongst the most threatened habitats in the country, from both development and neglect, with 97% of species-rich, agriculturally unimproved grasslands lost in England since the 1930s.* These habitats support rare and endangered species, such as lapwing, brown hare, wigeon, green-winged orchid and yellow meadow ant.
Conservation grazing is the use of livestock to manage habitats in nature’s favour. By reverting to this traditional management of grasslands, nature reserves benefit from boosted biodiversity.
The Trust’s Conservation Grazing Team is made up of 4 staff members, over 400 livestock, a group of dedicated volunteers and one expert sheep dog. The running of this large-scale grazing operation costs the Trust £250,000 per year.
From coastal grazing marshes to orchid-filled wildflower meadows, Essex Wildlife Trust’s grazing efforts spans 35 nature reserves across the county – almost 40% of the Trust’s total reserves.
This spring, Essex Wildlife Trust is appealing to the public to help raise 50% of the total cost of conservation grazing, to support nature’s recovery and protect important grassland habitats.
From midday 22– 29 April, every donation made through the online appeal webpage will be automatically doubled at no extra cost, giving supporters the chance to make twice the difference for wildlife.
Public donations made to the appeal go towards all aspects of the conservation grazing programme, including daily welfare checks, staff costs, specialist equipment and around-the-clock care for newborn lambs and calves.