Federico Cartín Arteaga and Heather Thompson
December 20, 2024
England is replanting meadows at 100 historic sites, from prehistoric Stonehenge to the Gothic ruin of Whitby Abbey to Down House, where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution.
Over the next decade, English Heritage aims to return the meadows to how they would once have looked to mark the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023. England has lost 97% of its meadows since the 1930s, largely because of postwar modern farming methods.
English Heritage calls this a ‘biological and cultural disaster.’ As well as restoring the botanical diversity that was once commonplace, the wildflower-rich grasslands will support bees, butterflies, birds, and mammals, absorb pollution and lock away carbon beneath the ground.
English Heritage has partnered with Plantlife, Europe's largest wild plants and fungi charity. The approach will be tailored to select the right flowers for each site’s soil and ecology.
Watch to know more.
Federico Cartín Arteaga and Heather Thompson
December 20, 2024