Come and be part of a global voice for wild plants and fungi
This year on National Meadows Day, we are campaigning for the protection of irreplaceable meadows – and we need your help!
Our wildflower meadows are a powerful ally in the fight against climate change – but they are in trouble!
“Will you help protect and restore irreplaceable habitats?”
Our corporate partners benefit from 35 years of experience in nature restoration so they can achieve real impact.
Become a Plantlife member today and together we will rebuild a world rich in plants and fungi
Plantlife has been at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, working directly with farmers, calling on policymakers to support farmers in making sustainable choices and producing guidance.
Our Agricultural Advisor Hywel Morgan runs a 230-acre beef and sheep farm at the western end of the stunning Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons National Park).
It was 5 years ago, after a conversation with a Civil Servant, that Hywel started farming for nature.
Find out more about Hywel’s journey here.
Semi-natural grasslands need to be prioritised, valued and resourced.
As governments continue to undervalue grasslands, we are calling on policymakers to support farmers in making sustainable choices.
Our experts have been delving into the details and shared their thoughts on DEFRA’s latest funding changes for farmers.
The majority of our ancient wildlife-rich grasslands have been destroyed and they are now among the UK’s rarest habitats – with losses continuing today. Over-fertilised and monoculture fields now dominate our landscape, providing few benefits for nature, people or our climate.
Grasslands account for just over 70% of the UK’s utilised agricultural area, and with appropriate management, semi-natural grasslands can support sustainable food production, as well as provideecosystem services and wider societal benefits (i.e. ‘public goods’), such as mitigating pollution and flooding events, and storing carbon in their soils. Yet farmers still need to be able to make a living inmanaging their land for environmental outcomes and public goods.
Read the report here.
It is widely accepted that there has been a large decline in the extent of species-rich grasslands across the UK since the1930s. However, there have been limited studies exploring the recent overall trends in their extent. This reportwas commissioned to review the existing evidence and data on the trends and extent of species-rich and semi-naturalgrasslands, broken down by UK nation where possible.
This report offers a review of existing literature and evidence on the numerous advantages associated with species-rich grasslands.
Arable farmland has the power to create a positive impact for biodiversity, as well as food production.Many wildflowers thrive in areas of soil that are regularly disturbed by farmers growing crops. Careful and regular management is required to ensure these crucial areas of nature can thrive.
It’s waxcap season in the Upper Ystwyth and Plantlife’s Sheena Duller explains why fungi and farming can go so well together.
Wildflower meadows are often a defining feature of the summer, but when managed properly they can also be a vital habitat for wildlife and nature recovery.
Take a look through our guidance on managing meadows, the equipment needed, which seeds to choose and much much more.
Work on a Welsh Farm with Plantlife Biodiversity Consultants
Through our Plantlife Biodiversity Consultants we worked with a landowner to help realise their vision of a nature rich, multi-functional landscape on this 120ha hill farm in mid-Wales, whilst remaining true to the traditions of Welsh hill farming.
Our recommendations enabled the landowner to achieve their vision for the estate by allowing nature to recover, without compromising the farming which had taken place over generations. We are now working long term with this estate providing ongoing support and advice.
You can read more about our work here.
It’s not just trees that capture and store carbon – our meadows and grasslands can play an important role too.
As COP28 draws to a close, it's not just about fossil fuels. We will keep showing that wild plants and fungi need to be central to the climate solution.
One of the most important discussions at COP28 is about – food and agriculture. Find out why they are so important for global governments.
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