Volunteers hope growing hub will help floodplains

Dr Sue Kinsey says she is "delighted" the hub is up and running

Volunteers at a wetland centre are aiming to grow up to 50,000 native plants a year in a bid to help reverse the decline of local floodplains.

A community growing hub at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire is tending to around 20 species of wildflower plug plants from seeds harvested across the Severn Vale.

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) is offering free plants to community groups creating or restoring wet grasslands or floodplain meadows.

Plants being grown in a refurbished polytunnel include bird's-foot trefoil, corky-fruited water-dropwort, cowslip and meadow sweet.

Plants can be ordered from Slimbridge Wetland Centre

WWT said it wanted the plants to support the creation and enhancement of wet grassland habitats in the Severn Vale.

The charity said wildlife-rich floodplain meadows were not only beautiful, but beneficial; potentially providing flood mitigation and storing substantial quantities of carbon.

Dr Sue Kinsey, community action coordinator at WWT Slimbridge, said: “I’m delighted that the Slimbridge community growing hub is up and running.

"With support from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, Eversheds Sutherland and our incredible volunteer team, WWT is now in a great position to aid the recovery of the Severn Vale’s iconic floodplain meadows with our native and locally sourced wildflower plug plants.”

Plants can be ordered now for the 2024 planting season.

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