Head Gardener Steve Howes guided the project alongside staff, students, and Longmead Wildlife Trust’s Catriona Bass and her team of 20 volunteers.
The group, aided by favourable weather, planted about 30 different wildflowers in the floodplain meadow, one of the UK’s rarest habitats. These included yellow loosestrife and marsh-marigold, species that thrive in wet marshy conditions.
Longmead supplied all the flora, which is a great way for Christ Church to be able to support Catriona and the fantastic work she is doing restoring floodplain meadows around Oxfordshire.
Reflecting on the day, the College noted the event was not just about enhancing the meadow, but also educating students on the importance of preserving floodplain habitats. These areas are critical for capturing carbon emissions, understood to play a significant role in countering climate change.
The College expressed its gratitude for having its own floodplain to nurture and protect.
Anticipating spring’s bloom, the College looks forward to sharing the flowering meadow with the community and the public.
Summer meadow tours will be conducted by Mr Howes, offering a chance to appreciate the handiwork up close. Details for these visits can be obtained by contacting Mr Howes or enquiring at the Visitor Centre.
Christ Church has committed to ongoing collaboration with Catriona’s team to develop the meadow and look to other areas at Christ Church where they can increase biodiversity, helping to tackle climate change.
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