LANDLIFE
Current Projects
PROJECTS
An award of £150,000 to create new wildflower displays and improve Court Hey Park are almost complete. New annual sowings are in flower around the entrance, on the rooftop walkway and in the walled garden. Hard landscaping in a mosaic design has improved the entrance courtyard, complemented by a new water space by the woodland garden.
Wetland planting in Court Hey Park will be completed by September, together with a new meadow on the old tennis courts and more woodland areas. Knowsley Borough Council has designed and installed a children's play area on a railway theme and improved public footpaths.
A Summer events programe for all the family gets underway for the school holidays.
The Friends Group for Court Hey welcome new members.
BREAK NEW GROUND (2002-2005)
A DEFRA funded project to undertake trials of a plough that inverts the soil profile to create the right conditions for wildflowers and improved tree growth. Sowings of wildflowers and tree plantings took place in 2003. First year annuals are now in flower - and are particulalry spectacular at Wheeldon Copse, Alvanley, Cheshire - a project in partnership with the Woodland Trust. We have been developing partnerships with the eden project and the Sensory Trust for creative conservation work linked to Break New Ground, and with English Nature for their Cornwall Lowland Heathlands Restoration project - the largest in Europe.
WOODLAND WILDFLOWERS (2001-2004)
We have received a funding extension for a further year thanks to the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. This project works with all the Community Forests to source local seed and create new woodland wildflower areas. The extended project will work to achieve local distinctiveness in new woodlands.
SEEDS FOR GROWTH (2001-2005)
A European Regional Development Fund project to support Landlife's 100 acres of wildflower fields. New sowings alongside major roadways and transport corridors are also contributing to regeneration work to improve the region's image for tourism and investment. A new landscape in Knowsley along Valley Road into Kirkby town centre, is already proving to have a positive impact.
NORTHWOOD (completed Spring 2004)
This Single Regeneration Budget and New Opportunities Fund project enabled Landlife to work with local people to create stunning new wildflower landscapes on Kirkby's Old Rough. Community involvement and enthusiasm has been enormous and a new Friends Group is working with Knowsley Borough to undertake further development. Funding for Landlife's work ended in June.
WASTES FOR WILDFLOWERS (completed 2003)
A RMC Landfill Tax funded project to develop and interpret the waste demonstrations at the National Wildflower Centre. Received a Beacon Status from the RMC Environment Fund in the " Originality and Sustainable Waste Management Solutions" category. China clay waste from Cornwall was the last addition in 2004, planted with heathers and perennials.
BLUEBELL RECOVERY
New funding from the Tanner Trust of £2000 and donations from the recently launched Bluebell Appeal will support the growing and planting of this internationally important British species in decline.
