Crabtree – Long Meadow Biodiversity Improvement Project
This page provides information about a project being run by ‘Black Dam and Crabtree Conservation Group’, with support from Natural Basingstoke and Basingstoke Councils’ Ranger Services team.
Latest update
As the project progresses, the latest update will be posted here. Further information about the project can be found below.
Where is Long Meadow?
Long Meadow is part of the ‘Black Dam and Crabtree’ Local Nature Reserve’. It‘s a small area of former agricultural land stretching from the top of the chalk down in the west towards Dicken’s Copse in the east (see map). Unlike the chalk grassland of Crabtree Down here the underlying chalk is covered by a deep rich clayey soil.
The natural flora in this type of grassland is a bit different to the delicate chalk grassland flora on Crabtree Down. Typical flora like Harebells, Small Scabious and Dropwort cannot compete with the grasses on such rich soil. Instead, look out for the Meadow Vetchling, Meadow Sweet and Campion.
Location of Long Meadow
What is happening at Long Meadow?
Crabtree Down is already a great biodiversity improvement project – with the chalk grassland now blooming with downland flowers every summer – but there is much more we can do within the park to restore biodiversity lost over 75 years of agricultural land use.
To date it has been challenging to restore the natural flora at Long Meadow, due to the soil type and damp conditions, so this year (2024) we have decided to do something a bit different! Three test areas were created in November, enabling us to trial different combinations of native flora to test which thrive best in this habitat. The tests strips have been specially prepared to maximise the chances of success and sown with different combinations of wildflower seeds that are appropriate to the area and conditions.
If the project is successful, by spring/ summer 2025 there should be evidence of wildflowers growing in the test strips, enabling us to judge relative success. Of course, some of the species we have sown take longer to establish themselves, so (as with many nature restoration projects) patience is needed! After the first year, we hope to add further plots/ trenches in Autumn 2025.
What flowers are being sown?
The pictures below show the different combinations in the three test strips.
Western Section
Eastern Section
Central Section
What is the aim of the project?
According to the 2023 State of Nature study, the UK is amongst the most nature depleted countries in the world (it is within the bottom 10% of 240 nations and territories). We are committed to doing what we can locally to support restoration and management of our natural environments.
For this specific project, the long-term aim is to improve the diversity of wildflowers and consequently, insects, pollen gatherers and butterflies in this area. Once we are able to judge the success of the initial test strips, we will be able to sow further areas with combinations of flora that have a good chance of thriving.
This is part of a wider programme of nature conservation activity at ‘Black Dam and Crabtree Local Nature Reserve’, undertaken by local volunteers in conjunction with the council’s Ranger Services team. This nature reserve has a fantastic combination of chalk downland, remnants of ancient woodland, wet woodland and ponds linked to the river Loddon, so there is lots to do.
What can I do to help?
We are always on the lookout for nature lovers to join our ranks, whether you are interested in hands on conservation or helping with other activity such as managing social media or supporting events we would love to the hear from you. To find out more about the Black Dam and Crabtree volunteer group check out the Black Dam & Crabtree Conservation group‘ page.
Not based in the Black Dam/ Crabtree area? No problem! Natural Basingstoke also supports many other nature conservation groups across the borough of Basingstoke and Deane. More information can be found on the ‘Member Conservation Groups‘ page.
We also have a few ideas for action you could take in your own garden, to help our local wildlife, for more information see the ‘Random Acts of Wildness‘ page.