Conservation at Woodland Valley
How we manage Woodland Valley for the benefit of the plants and animals.
How we encourage flower growth and wildlife
The whole of Woodland Valley is managed for the benefit of the plants and animals.
Experts have designed the mowing regime to encourage wild flower growth and wildlife. This means at some times of the year the grass will be longer than at others. We keep the scattering areas shorter all year round and we will create a path to graveside for a burial to take place if necessary.
Bee and butterfly bank
The bee and butterfly bank at Woodland Valley was one of 15 new flower areas created in the city in 2015. It is made from pure chalk and planted with native flowers.
This bank is a miniature model of the South Downs, from Eastbourne to Winchester. It is 17 metres long and is made of 60 tonnes of chalk.
We collected seeds from our local nature reserves such as Bevendean Down, Sheepcote Valley and Ladies Mile. We then grew the plants at Stanmer Nursery. Volunteers from the Sussex Wildlife Trust, along with staff and local volunteers, planted over 2,000 wild flower plugs. This flower rich area will attract pollinating insects like bees, butterflies, hoverflies and beetles.
The plants include:
ox-eye daisy, harebell, wild marjoram, wild basil, common toadflax, small scabious, lesser knapweed, bird’s foot trefoil, dropwort, chamomile, betony, wild carrot, and kidney vetch.
The great British Elm Experiment
Dutch elm disease which wiped out over 25 million elms in the UK. The Conservation Foundation started the Great British Elm Experiment to understand why some trees survived.
The Elm society donated approximately 15 whips from their new disease resistant stock. They are planted throughout the Woodland Valley.