Highland Grazing at Allestree Park

Wed 8 Jan 2020

Derby Parks are host to some very special visitors as cattle graze on some of our beautiful green spaces this winter.

A mix of beautiful Highland and Belted Galloway cattle are currently grazing the main fields at Allestree Park Local Nature Reserve. This is part of our Conservation Grazing Scheme in partnership with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to help manage our magnificent meadows in an environmentally sustainable way. The cattle are carrying out vital munching to allow the most delicate wildflowers to shine. Not only do the animals eat grass, but they also crash through small trees and tall herbs to ensure the grassland meadow areas stay at their optimal state for nature conservation.

The meadows are showing continued signs of progress and will be ‘blooming’ lovely next year with native wildflowers.

Volunteers from Friends of Allestree Park and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust help make sure the scheme runs smoothly and the cattle are happy munching the fields. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the project.

This is an example project in the East Midlands region and has won national awards for innovation. Find out more about Derby Parks’ Local Nature Reserves here.