Get involved with some wildlife spotting at our partner site - St John’s Churchyard in Sharow

As part of ‘Churches Count on Nature’ week, St John’s Church is asking members of the public to help it count and record precisely how many different species it supports.

The Lower Ure Conservation Trust work in partnership with St John’s to manage the site for the benefit of wildlife. Its high-quality hay meadow is home to many vulnerable species, including the now rare meadow saxifrage, and is a recognised Site of Interest for Nature Conservation. This type of meadow was once common pasture land, but since the 1960s it has become far rarer, with less than 6,000 hectares remaining in England. The site acts as a window back in time, providing a snapshot of what the meadows of England looked like in the first half of the last century. Sites like St John’s play a vital role in the conservation of this precious habitat.

The churchyard will be hosting two days of events:

• On Saturday 5th June 2021, the site will be hosting a family open day, to celebrate its wildlife, with den building, and a wildlife trail, as well as the opportunities to further add to the biodiversity of the area through the creation of a pond.  There will be a wildlife walk at 3:30pm.

• On Wednesday 9th June 2021, the site is seeking to count the number of species that call the churchyard home. Wildlife experts will be on hand to guide members of the public in how to count species, and to answer their questions.  

Both days will begin with a count of moths at 9:30am and refreshments will be served.

All are welcome to help count species, join a wildlife walk, or simply to come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Address: St John’s Church, Berrygate Lane, Sharow, Ripon HG4 5BJ

For further details please contact revdruthnewton@gmail.com