AFTER the success of previous haymeadow creation workshops, Action for Wildlife: the Dartmoor Biodiversity Project, has once again organised a morning workshop providing the opportunity to discover more about Dartmoor's haymeadows and how you can contribute to their survival. Go along on Saturday, June 24, and learn how to create a haymeadow habitat on your own land or garden using hay bales from surviving Dartmoor haymeadows. These haymeadows contain a striking array of plants, such as the greater butterfly orchid, and support a wide range of wildlife. Sadly, traditional haymeadows are now small and fragmented and there is a risk that these important habitats may disappear altogether. For the fourth year running, this popular workshop will be held at Southcombe, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, where landowner Dr Seale has created four acres of this scarce habitat. Frances Cooper, Action for Wildlife project officer, will introduce the diverse range of plants that can be found in haymeadows, including species such as yellow rattle, knapweed, eyebright, ox-eye daisy and spectacular orchids. Dr Seale will explain the technique he has used so successfully and give tips from more than 10 years of experience. Past workshops have also attracted repeat visits from previous attendees who use them as an informal forum for exchange of ideas regarding their own haymeadow creation experiences. Mr Cooper said: 'This is an opportunity to find out how you can help to ensure that haymeadows, rich in wildflowers, do not become a thing of the past.' Meet at 10am in the car park next to The Café on the Green. This event is free, but no dogs allowed. There will be a 10-minute walk to and from the haymeadow. The workshop will last approximately two hours. If you can't make it to the workshop, but would like more information, Action for Wildlife has produced the leaflet Biodiversity in Your Backyard: How to Create Your Own Dartmoor Haymeadow. Copies of the leaflet can be downloaded from the Action for Wildlife website, click on http://www.actionforwildlife.org.uk/haymea">www.actionforwildlife.org.uk/haymea dowsleaflet.pdf, or telephone Action for Wildlife on 01626 831072.
