Dear subscriber,

HERE COMES SUMMER . . .

Summer's arrived and hopefully those of you who sowed your Mini Meadows last year will find them flourishing in full bloom at the moment? 

The feed-back we receive, when out and about at public events, reinforces the longevity of our Mini Meadow seeds.  Many people are telling us that their Mini Meadows are looking much healthier, with a wider variety of flowers and more colour, this year than last.  So if your Mini Meadow is new this year and you feel a little disappointed with its' performance, please don't despair but stick with it and look forward to even better results next spring! 

Happy Wildflower Gardening!

MINI MEADOWS AT NEWSTEAD ABBEY

Visit the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust team in the delightful grounds of Newstead Abbey, for our Mini Meadow seed pack giveaway event.  Even if you received a free pack of seeds last year, you're welcome to another pack or maybe you've been so pleased with the results of your own Mini Meadow that you would like to encourage your friends and family to sow their own?

The seeds are part of our Mini Meadow campaign which aims to help reverse the loss of 98% of wildflower meadows in Britain.  The campaign was first launched in spring 2010, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and corporate partner Novozymes Biopharma, with 15,000 packs of free seeds handed out across Nottinghamshire.  Novozymes Biopharma are supporting our campaign for a second year, enabling us to buy a further 15,000 packs of seed to distribute.

The seed giveaway events take place on Sundays – 31 July, 21 August & 11 September from 11am-4pm.  Normal admission charges apply.
For full details follow this link  Events at Newstead Abbey : Nottingham City Council
 

MEMBERSHIP OFFER

If your local natural environment is important to you, you can make a real difference by becoming a member of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust today.

With your help we can create a Living Landscape rich in wildlife for everyone.
We always need additional members to strengthen our voice when campaigning to save wildlife across the county.

We currently have a special membership offer – a choice of Concise Guides for you to select from – one free with your new annual membership.
For full details, book options, annual/monthly subscription rates, please follow this link:
Become a Member

BLOOMING MEADOWS!

Across the county, Mini Meadows are blooming!  Thank you to those of you who have sent in photos of your Mini Meadows in many different forms - we love to see how everyone's wildflowers are coming along.

This photo was sent in by Dave Robinson from Hucknall.  Dave says:
"This time last year this was 6ft high with brambles and covered in rubble.  There's more flowers to come out including poppies and corn flowers." 
A fabulous improvement, I'm sure you'll all agree?

Please send in your Mini Meadow photos, we will log them on our map and share them with our newsletter readers - there's nothing like a bit of healthy competition to inspire success!

WHAT IS IT . . . ?

Coming soon, to our Mini Meadow campaign page is a new factsheet to help you to identify each flower species contained in your seed pack.
Many of you ask us what exactly your free pack of seeds contains; in total there are up to 27 different wildflower species in each packet! 

A full list is available on our website campaign page, but to help you identify which species is currently flowering in your own Mini Meadow we are creating a factsheet naming each species alongside it's own full colour image.  The factsheet will be available to view/download from the website by the end of June.

LAZY, HAZY MEADOW DAYS . . .

If growing your own small patch of wildlfower meadow has inspired you to investigate larger areas of meadowland around the county, perhaps you'd like to visit one of these local meadows? 
Make a day of it, pack a picnic, take your camera and enjoy the wildflowers nature has to offer . . .

Willwell Farm Cutting situated on the outskirts of Nottingham, between Ruddington and Wilford, is one of the best wildflower sites in Nottinghamshire with more than 230 species so far recorded.  Grassland plants include large numbers of meadow saxifrage, green winged orchid, cypress spurge, great burnet, wild carrot and eyebright (all are rare in the county).  Also found here are cowslips, yellow wort, common centuary, St John’s wort, ox-eye daisy, yellow rattle, knapweed, field forget-me-not and white dog violet.  Small colonies of bee orchid and twayblade also exist.
This site is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

Kings Meadow situated on the northern edge of the Riverside Industrial Park in the Lenton area of Nottingham, is a unique urban nature reserve.  A number of species found at the site are considered rare in the County.  Of particular interest is the Southern Marsh Orchid which, together with the Common Spotted Orchid and their hybrids, make the site particularly valueable.  Rat’s Tail Fescue, which thrives here, is characteristic of abandoned railway cinder beds and its' rarity in the County will increase as disused railway lines are developed.

As well as our own nature reserves, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has helped to restore or create over 50 meadow areas as part of our Blue Butterfly Scheme. 
Three you might wish to visit, include:

Collington Common - Collington Way, off Rugby Road, West Bridgford.  Meadow creation on amenity grassland.

Millenium Park Cossall - Off Church Lane, Cossall Marsh, Nottingham.

Portland Park - Lindleys Lane, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire  NG17 9AL.

Naturescape, who supply all of the wildflower seed contained in our Mini Meadow seed packs, have their own Visitor Centre in Langar.  A haven of wildflowers (seeds, bulbs and grasses) which are all available to buy should you wish to expand your wildflower garden.
The Visitor Centre and Nursery is open from 1st April - 30th September, 11am to 5.30pm daily.  Admission to the visitor centre, tea room, wildlife garden, wild flower fields, meadows, dragonfly pond, woodlands and sales area is FREE at all times. 
A great day out and well worth a visit!

WHAT'S ON IN JUNE . . . ?

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust hold a huge variety of events across the county every month.  We publish an Events Guide three times a year, the current copy covers May-August 2011.  A full listing of all our upcoming events is also available on our website.  Below are a few highlights which should be of interest to you . . .

Wildlife in the City – Butterfly Identification
Sunday 12th June

Come along to Queens Walk Recreation Ground and see the diversity of butterflies that can be found in an urban setting.  A butterfly expert will be on hand to explain how to identify species.  10am – 2pm.  Meet on site and bring a packed lunch.
Contact:  Lucy Wallington 0115 958 8242

Ulverscroft Nature Reserve
Saturday 18th June

A chance for a guided walk with the South Notts Local Group around this secluded Leicestershire Wildlife Trust Reserve which includes Herbert’s Meadow – a mecca for wildflower enthusiasts.  Gordon Dyne will lead the tour looking at the beautiful summer wild flowers, butterflies and other wildlife that the site has to offer.  Meet 10am at Broomrigs Farm Country Park car park (SK510144 on the left after Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves).  Contact:  Gordon Dyne 0115 878 4842

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Attenborough
Saturday 18th June

Join local expert David Goddard for a talk about these fascinating creatures and a field walk around the reserve.  10am start.  £5 per person.  Booking essential.
Contact:  Attenborough Nature Centre 0115 972 1777

Painting the Wild Flowers of Attenborough
Saturday 18th June

Bring along your watercolours for a master class in painting native flora found in this very special habitat.  Tuition in watercolour technique will be given by Nottingham-based Kate Houghton, using demonstration and simple exercises designed to build up the speed and accuracy needed for fieldwork.  Suitable for all levels, beginners welcome.  10am – 1pm.  £10 per person.
Contact:  Attenborough Nature Centre 0115 972 1777

Plant Identification
Saturday 25th June

This course led by Kevin Caley will cover the identification features of flowering plants and their biology.  The session will also include fieldwork on the Attenborough Reserve.  10am – 4pm.  £25 per person.  Please book in advance as numbers are limited.
Contact:  Attenborough Nature Centre 0115 972 1777

Wildlife in the City – Butterfly Identification
Sunday 26th June

Come along to Sandy Banks, Beckhampton Road, Bestwood Estate and see the diversity of butterflies that can be found in an urban setting.  A butterfly expert will be on hand to explain how to identify species.  10am – 2pm.  Meet on site and bring a packed lunch.
Contact:  Lucy Wallington 0115 958 8242

Moth Event at Idle Valley
Saturday 2nd July

Come along to the Idle Valley Nature Reserve to find out more about these beautiful and fascinating insects.  We will have a brief introduction to moths and then set up some traps to see what we can catch.  Please wrap up warmly during the evening as this event may go on until late depending on the moths we find.  1pm to 6pm and 8.30pm onwards.  Bring your own lunch and any field guides you may have.  Free of charge but booking is required.  Contact:  Rural Learning Centre 01777 713945