Moth Morning
You can take part in the recording of our marvellous moths, by helping us with the identification of the species we've caught overnight.
The BIG SHIFT at Feed Bristol
Discover what you can do to create a more sustainable future for yourself, your community and for Bristol. Find out how you can get involved in community energy schemes, food buying groups, gardening, Permaculture, cycling and composting.
Hairy violet
This perennial species is mainly found on chalk grassland but other habitats include the edges of woodland, roadsides and railway embankments and limestone pavement. Habitat loss has resulted in a declining distribution of this plant. It flowers early in the year and is the food plant of the dark green and high brown fritillary caterpillars.
Hairy violet is mostly found on chalk downland - patchworks of chalk grassland, heath, scrub and ponds found on chalk hills. Areas of rare and unique wildlife, chalk grasslands, in particular, have been likened to a rainforest for the diversity of species they hold. But they are being lost at an alarming rate due to changes in land use causing the decline of grazing: it's estimated that we've lost 80% of our chalk grassland over the last 60 years. The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland and downland nature reserves for the benefit of the rare wildlife they hold. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from scrub-cutting to stockwatching.
Horseshoe vetch
The perennial horseshoe vetch is an essential plant for the chalkhill and Adonis blue butterflies as their caterpillars feed soley on this and it’s also used by the dingy skipper. The common name is thought to come from the shape of the seed pods which are said to resemble horseshoes.
Horseshoe vetch is found on chalk downland habitats - patchworks of chalk grassland, heath, scrub and ponds found on chalk hills. Areas of rare and unique wildlife, chalk grasslands, in particular, have been likened to a rainforest for the diversity of species they hold. But they are being lost at an alarming rate due to changes in land use causing the decline of grazing: it's estimated that we've lost 80% of our chalk grassland over the last 60 years. The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland and downland nature reserves for the benefit of the rare wildlife they hold. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from scrub-cutting to stockwatching.
Pyramidal orchid
The pyramidal orchid grows in chalk grassland as well as range of other habitats including coastal regions, scrub, road verges, abandoned quarries and railway embankments. It flowers in June and July.
One of the habitats where pyramidal orchids grow is chalk downland - patchworks of chalk grassland, heath, scrub and ponds found on chalk hills. Areas of rare and unique wildlife, chalk grasslands, in particular, have been likened to a rainforest for the diversity of species they hold. But they are being lost at an alarming rate due to changes in land use causing the decline of grazing: it's estimated that we've lost 80% of our chalk grassland over the last 60 years. The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland and downland nature reserves for the benefit of the rare wildlife they hold. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from scrub-cutting to stockwatching.
Chiltern gentian
This annual or biennial flower is only found in the UK. It is largely confined to the Chilterns, in fact it is the county flower of Buckinghamshire. It is found on lowland chalk grassland where vegetation is short, particularly where the soil has been disturbed. Occasionally they may be found growing at woodland edges if the soil is right. The species is declining in distribution due to loss of chalk grasslands.
Chiltern gentian prefer chalk downland habitats - patchworks of chalk grassland, heath, scrub and ponds found on chalk hills. Areas of rare and unique wildlife, chalk grasslands, in particular, have been likened to a rainforest for the diversity of species they hold. But they are being lost at an alarming rate due to changes in land use causing the decline of grazing: it's estimated that we've lost 80% of our chalk grassland over the last 60 years. The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland and downland nature reserves for the benefit of the rare wildlife they hold. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from scrub-cutting to stockwatching.
Early gentian
This rare annual or biennial wildflower is only found in the UK. It grows on south-facing slopes with thin soil which are grazed to keep the vegetation cover low. Loss of lowland chalk grassland habitat and declines in grazing has meant this species is becoming rarer.
Early gentian prefer chalk downland habitats - patchworks of chalk grassland, heath, scrub and ponds found on chalk hills. Areas of rare and unique wildlife, chalk grasslands, in particular, have been likened to a rainforest for the diversity of species they hold. But they are being lost at an alarming rate due to changes in land use causing the decline of grazing: it's estimated that we've lost 80% of our chalk grassland over the last 60 years. The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland and downland nature reserves for the benefit of the rare wildlife they hold. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from scrub-cutting to stockwatching.
An Introduction to Forest Gardening
Forest Gardening is a way of growing food based on combining plants and trees together in natural woodland-like patterns. These mutually beneficial relationships create a highly productive garden ecosystem. An established forest garden will give high yields of diverse produce such as fruit, nuts, vegetables, herbs, medicines, fuel, fungi and animal fodder. It also needs less maintenance than a conventional vegetable garden due to it’s emphasis on perennial plantings and is rich in habitats for beneficial insects, birds and animals.
An Introduction to the Honeybee
People are becoming increasingly aware of the issues around honeybees, and our other 250 native bee species, and their ecological and agricultural importance. We all know they pollinate our fruits and vegetables but do we know the difference between and queen and a worker? Or what a swarm is? This is an opportunity to have a more in depth look at the intricate life of the honeybee and answer these questions and more.
We will cover basic bee biology, swarming, introduce the concepts behind Sustainable Beekeeping and spend time observing honeybees up close.
