Welcome to "Life on the Verge"
Life on the Verge ....
- is the largest wild flower survey of Britain's roadside verges
- aims to identify the most important roadside verges for limestone grassland wildlife in South-West Lincolnshire, North-East Rutland and East Leicestershire
- will rely on local volunteers of all skill levels - please help in the survey if you can!
- is running free wild flower identification courses throughout June 2009
- surveys have now begun and will continue while flowers last until mid August. Go to the 'Survey' section to claim your verges!
Why is limestone grassland important?
With the right management, grassland growing on limestone soils can be one of the most diverse habitats in the country and a riot of wild flower colour in spring and summer. Forty species of plant can be found in a square metre of turf.
Both the variety of wild plants and animals it supports and its relative scarcity in Britain and Europe make this a habitat of high conservation value. By conserving limestone grassland, we benefit a whole suite of plants and animals which include nationally threatened species such as dingy skipper, grizzled skipper and Duke of Burgundy butterflies, four-spotted moth, early gentian, pasque flower and commoner species such as glow worms and skylark.
Sadly, there has been a sharp decline in the extent of lowland limestone grassland across the country, particularly in the last 60 years. This has mainly been a result of more intensive farming.
Willoughby Meadow
Photograph: RB Wilkinson
Life on the Verge is supported by:
- Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust
- Lincolnshire County Council
- Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
- Natural England
- Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund
- Ringway Group
- SITA Trust
