Local ecologist invites community to 'get involved' in orchid count
An Ironbridge nature reserve is celebrating its 20th anniversary of orchid counting on Sunday, June 23 - and needs your help!
Prior to 2005, Lodge Field in Ironbridge was a derelict site that had been grazed by horses and was being invaded by coarse grasses and brambles. Local ecologist John Box took it upon himself to volunteer his time and advise the Lodge Field Group, which had just started up, and who shared the management of the site with Telford & Wrekin Council.
He had the vision of restoring the meadow, which was undoubtedly lovely years ago, by correct management to increase the biodiversity of wildflowers and in turn butterflies, bees and much more besides. This is achieved by restricting mowing and removal of the cuttings to just once per year which reduces soil fertility and in turn allows wildflowers to thrive. Since the second world war we have lost 97 per cent of our wildflower meadows and they are now one of the rarest habitats in the UK.
