Cornish Community Orchard Bio-blitz

The Pitch

Problem statement

There's been a 74% loss of traditional orchards across the South West which was home to the largest area of orchards at the beginning of the 20th century. Traditional orchards are well known as fantastically biodiverse spaces and home to rare species partly due to the combination of tree spacing, grass and meadow between fruiting trees. Apple trees have veteran features earlier than other trees creating gnarly trunks and holes for diversity of habitats favoured by some species. We need to raise awareness of the importance of traditional orchards for protecting and enhancing biodiversity in our communities as well as for reducing food miles that negatively impact on our environment.

Solution

The goal is to increase awareness of the biodiversity of orchards, improve monitoring and identification skills of the general public and get more people involved in community orchards. The project will use the 24hr bioblitz and resulting report as a template and springboard for further biodiversity research within Cornish orchards. The funding will pay for Budding Nature Cornwall- educational and science professionals - to organise, set up and deliver the bioblitz and produce a final report. Additional 3 days for promotion and securing community group/school involvement, delivery support, report dissemination across region and to national Orchard Network, and for post event promotion.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

Resilient Orchards Cornwall CIC have initiated the project on discovery that there is a lack of research into Cornish orchards or their biodiversity. We are orchard specialists who provide orchard services and deliver training. Budding Nature Cornwall are a partnership of educational and science professionals. Drawing on local expertise from entomologists, to botanists, ecologists and bat experts there will be a wealth of experience to work with the public to identify and record species they find. The Countryside Manager and rangers at Cornwall Council will also support, promote and help deliver the event. Together the 3 organisations are therefore perfect team to deliver this project.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

150 people

Expected impact

Increase knowledge and appreciation for local community orchards; public training and involvement in identification and monitoring of wildlife species; increased involvement in care for and knowledge about traditional orchards; introduce young people to caring for orchards and wildlife.The final report and record of species and biodiversity within this traditional orchard space will be vital evidence for future work on orchards in the area. The report will be disemminated to regional and national orchard, wildlife recording, and biodiversity organisations.It is hoped that any results of the report can then be acted on, to support particular species found or found missing. It will also help to kick start more research and sharing of results of biodiversity studies in Cornish orchards. We are also developing a Cornwall-wide Orchard Network, and an event like this and the promotion and dissemination of results will really aid us to do so.

Track record

The Budding Nature Cornwall team have, between them, delivered a host of workshops, training and identification of a range of wildlife and species areas. Resilient Orchards Cornwall CIC have successfully delivered training in Orchard skills including grafting and pruning to community organisations. Cornwall Council are supporting and involved in the delivery of the project and can draw on a range of expertise to ensure the project is successful.

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