Saving Space for Butterflies

Brownfield habitat is one of the most rapidly changing and most threatened habitats in the UK. In this era of rapid house-building and regeneration, brownfield land is not only a huge opportunity for business.

Brownfields are a delicate lifeline for some of the UK’s most endangered butterflies, moths, beetles and other invertebrates.

With changes in legislation and planning guidance developers and planners can no longer ignore brownfield invertebrates.

Brownfield wildlife can co-exist with industry and regeneration. In fact conserving these creatures could actually save time and money.

Threatened butterflies and moths including Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Blue, Chalk Carpet moth and Four-spotted moth find refuge on these sites. Low nutrient, thin or contaminated soils, with areas of bare and uneven ground and a warm microclimate, can provide a habitat with an abundance of nectar rich wildflowers and foodplants.

These are the type of sites often over-looked for their wildlife value, and are often earmarked for development or landscaping.

Aims of the project

• Raise awareness of the importance of brownfield sites for rare and declining species
• Protect, restore, manage and reconnect networks of brownfield habitat across the Midlands
• Promote good practice in conserving and expanding habitat for brownfield Lepidoptera
• Trial habitat creation and restoration of brownfield habitat
• Provide volunteer training in survey and monitoring of brownfield habitats and associated butterflies and moths
• Develop demonstration projects in a number of key areas
• Produce a computerised map-based (GIS) database of known brownfield sites
• A national Brownfields Conference was held in February 2008. Click here for proceedings and further information.

Contact

Email your comments or queries to Jane Ellis, West Midlands Regional Officer

Funders

Esmee Fairbairn, Countdown 2010