Saving the small things that run the planet
The Restoring Richmond’s Lost Meadows project restored 20 ha of wildflower-rich meadows and pastures around Richmond, North Yorkshire, providing pollen and nectar for insects including bees, butterflies, hoverflies and moths. The project connected important habitats in upper Swaledale together with partners from the Richmondshire Landscape Trust, the National Trust and North Yorkshire County Council.
Quick Facts:
- Name of Project: Restoring Richmond’s Lost Meadows
- Duration of Project: 2013 – 2015
- Location of Project: Richmond
- Species benefiting from Project: Pollinators and other invertebrates
- Project funded by: SITA Trust Enriching Nature Fund and the Co-operative Group
- Project partners: Richmondshire Landscape Trust and the National Trust
Project partners harvested seed from local meadows and used this to re-introduce many wildflowers which have been missing from the area for a long time. In addition we have restored neglected grassland through programmes of scrub and invasive weed control, and by introducing new grassland management regimes. New fencing and gates were erected and grazing was re-introduced to an area of riverside grazing, which saw significant benefits to the wildflowers of the area.
Thank you to the landowners who kindly granted us permission to harvest seed from their meadows to use in the grassland restoration work. Also, a big thank you to the North Yorkshire County Council volunteers who provided much needed help with scrub clearance and plug planting.

This project was supported by the SITA Trust Enriching Nature Fund and the Co-operative Group.
Help us to stop the extinction of invertebrate species
Engage with our work
Stay up to date with our work and help spread the word by following us on our socials and signing up to our monthly BugBytes email newsletter.
Donate to support us
Every contribution helps us to save the small things that run the planet by restoring vital habitats and rebuilding strong invertebrate populations in the UK.
Make a donationBecome a member
Join a community of invertebrate champions and access exclusive member benefits from just £3 a month, all whilst supporting our vital conservation work.
Join us