Blackburn’s Farm; Wetlands, water, and wildflowers
For the latest project in our Room For Rivers programme, we’re working with Blackburn’s Farm to create a new conservation area to support habitats for amphibians, invertebrates, and a rich variety of grassland and wetland species.
Our project will establish a diverse wet grassland area complete with ponds, scrapes, and a new hedgerow to provide natural boundaries from the farmland. Yellow rattle, a semi-parasitic plant, will also be introduced. By limiting the spread of dominant rye-grass, yellow rattle makes space for a more diverse range of grasses and wildflowers to flourish. Once seeded, we’ll step back and let the site develop, allowing time and nature to create a biodiverse wet grassland with minimal human management.
Together, this mosaic of habitats will be a haven for wildlife. Wetlands and grasslands will provide an ideal environment for newts and other amphibians, while diverse wildflowers will attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Meanwhile, the hedgerows will tie the site together, connecting new and existing habitats while providing essential food and shelter for a wide range of invertebrates, birds, and mammals.
Will the work at Blackburn’s Farm benefit rivers?
Absolutely! Our work follows something called The Catchment Based Approach (CaBA). So, we work on the basis that all habitats are connected through one common theme- water. Rainwater flows over hills, through farms, towns, and fields, picking up whatever’s there before it reaches rivers. All of these lovely new wetlands, meadows, and hedgerows will help filter out excess nutrients, improve soil quality, prevent soil and sediment loss, and temporarily store excess rainwater-directly benefiting local rivers and overall water quality.
Plus, we have exciting future plans centred on Natural Flood Management. In time, these will further support river health and the wildlife that depend on these ecosystems.
You can read more about other Room for Rivers projects here. You can also visit the Blackburn’s Farm website to learn more about all the amazing work they’re doing for education, wellbeing and wildlife.
Part of the Ribble Revival: Room for Rivers Programme
Funding for this project has come from the Species Survival Fund, a £25 million initiative aiming to restore over 3,300 hectares of habitat across the country. The National Lottery Heritage Fund administers the fund on behalf of DEFRA, and Ribble Rivers Trust has received £1.65 million to support our work. Fellow wildlife charities, farmers, and community groups nationwide have also benefitted the fund, helping to accelerate nature recovery and protect vital species.
