Know your site
Before making any change – be it a change in management or a development, it is important to first know what you have. Start by finding out what species are already in the grassland by carrying out a survey.
- For smaller sites, undertake a survey during the late spring – mid summer when most plants are flowering. This makes them far easier to identify. Use a good plant identification guide, ID apps or online resources.
- A best practice survey method can be found on the Plantlife website.
- For larger or complex sites, where the ambition is to enhance the diversity of species perhaps in association with a bigger scheme be it a development, Whole Estate Plan or Stewardship application, commissioning a survey and guidance from a grassland specialist could be a good option. A number of organisations undertake this such as Plantlife and the Wildlife Trusts.
- Many grassland sites contain seed within their soils that can remain viable for up to 50 years, small management tweaks can stimulate these to grow again.
- Understand your site’s history. How a grassland has been used in the past can give helpful clues about how it might be able to be managed. For example, has it always been grass (permanent pasture), was it ever arable, or woodland. Using historic maps, talking to previous owners or locals can really help.
