Friends and Community groups perceptions of created hay meadows within the Birmingham and Black Country Nature Improvement Area

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The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country and its partners have created a number of meadows across Birmingham and the Black Country in parks, informal greenspaces and nature reserves. This work has been carried out as part of a project aiming to ‘enhance and reconnect nature on a significant scale’. Plant and insect surveys have been carried out on the meadows, but, as yet, no survey has been carried out on either the public’s reaction to the creations, or on the thoughts and experiences of the Friends groups and Site Managers of the greenspaces where the meadows have been created. Below is a list of some of the meadows created through the project. If the created meadow on the site you are interested in, is not on the list, we are still interested in your responses - please still complete the questionnaire.

The Wildlife Trust and staff from the University of Wolverhampton would like to find out more about what people think of these meadows (including their importance for wildlife), who uses them and how they are used, to help the creation of meadows in the future and to aid plans to increase involvement in these projects. If you visit a site in Birmingham and the Black Country with a meadow, please help by filling in a survey. The survey is for people over 18 years old. The survey is anonymous and will only be used for this research. Quotes from longer responses could be used in publications, please be aware of this in your responses.Thank you for your time.

This questionnaire has been approved by the Life Sciences Ethics Committee of the University of Wolverhampton

If you would like more information, have any queries or would like a copy of the completed research, please use the contact details below.

Submission of a completed questionnaire implies consent to participate. You can withdraw from the survey at any time by not submitting your survey and closing the web page. As the survey is anonymous, once you have submitted the questionnaire, unfortunately we will not be able to identify it to withdraw it.

The deadline for completion of the questionnaire is Monday 31st August.

Contact details of researchers

Email address: l.besenyei@wlv.ac.uk

Postal address: Dr. L. Besenyei, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, City Campus – South, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, , WV1 1LY*
*Due to Covid-19 post is not currently being picked up, so responses to postal enquiries will unfortunately be slow.

List of some of the sites with semi-natural meadows created by the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country and partners.

If the created meadow on the site you are interested in, is not on the list, we are still interested in your responses - please still complete the questionnaire.

Castle Vale Meadows
Babbs Mill Meadow
Perry Hall Park Meadow
Moseley Bog – Joy's Wood Meadow
Bantock Park
Walsall Arboretum Orchard
Victoria Common Meadow
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Cannon Hill Park Meadow
Coombeswood
Highbury Park – Shutlock Meadow
Saltwells LNR – Alison’s Fields and Cinder Bank
Wren's Nest NNR – Arrowgrass Field
Wren's Nest NNR – Target Field
Victoria Park
Ley Hill Park Meadow
The Leasowes – Top Meadow
Milking Bank – Bottom Meadow
Smestow Valley LNR
Londonderry Playing Fields
Smethwick Hall Park
Sedgley Beacon
Kings Norton Park Meadow
Haden Hill Park
Kitchen Lane extension
Wrens Nest NNR – College Fields
Lewisham Park
Peascroft Wood
Deer's Leap Wood
Moseley Bog – Damp Meadow
Moseley Bog – Pensby Close Meadow
Milking Bank – Top Meadow
Rea Meadows
Barnford Hill Park

Questionnaire

Guidance note: If you visit more than one site, please tell us just about your preferred site in your answers to this questionnaire. If you would like to tell us about more than one site, please complete a separate survey for each site.

Which site do you visit? *

Where on the site is the meadow or how would you direct someone to it? e.g. the nearest road/entrance, meadow name etc. *

Did you visit the site before the meadow was created? *

Yes

Were you involved in the proposals for, the planning of or the creation of the meadow? *

Yes

If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, please choose one or more endings to the following sentence:

I was involved in the

proposals

planning

creation.............of the meadow

Does the meadow still exist? Please answer Yes or No. If No, why/what happened (if you know)? If no, please answer the rest of the questions from the time when the meadow still did exist.

Please choose one box for each of the following statements: *

strongly disagree

disagree

neither agree nor disagree

agree

strongly agree

The meadow in this greenspace is interesting

The meadow is attractive

The meadow looks natural

The meadow looks cared for

The meadow is colourful

The meadow is good for wildlife

I gain pleasure from visiting the meadow

The meadow makes the park/greenspace/nature reserve a better place for people

The meadow is known locally as a desirable place to visit

I am satisfied with this meadow

I am proud of this meadow

I would like to see meadows in more parks

I would like to see meadows in more informal greenspaces

I would like to see meadows in more nature reserves

I would like to see meadows along the road sides/road verges

I prefer short mown lawns to meadows

I prefer meadows to short mown lawns

We should protect urban nature

We should increase urban nature

The meadow is important for wildlife

The meadow is important for the environment

The meadow is important for people

There is more wildlife on the site because of the meadow

The meadow is a relaxing place to be

The meadow is a special place

The meadow makes me feel more connected to nature

I feel happy when I visit the meadow

The creation of the meadow has encouraged me to visit the site more often

I spend longer at the site because of the meadow

I have noticed more wildlife because of the meadow

I have learnt more about wildlife because of the meadow

The meadow creation project was/is successful

The meadow creation project was not/is not successfulRow 40

strongly disagree

disagree

neither agree nor disagree

agree

strongly agree

The meadow in this greenspace is interesting

The meadow is attractive

The meadow looks natural

The meadow looks cared for

The meadow is colourful

The meadow is good for wildlife

I gain pleasure from visiting the meadow

The meadow makes the park/greenspace/nature reserve a better place for people

The meadow is known locally as a desirable place to visit

I am satisfied with this meadow

I am proud of this meadow

I would like to see meadows in more parks

I would like to see meadows in more informal greenspaces

I would like to see meadows in more nature reserves

I would like to see meadows along the road sides/road verges

I prefer short mown lawns to meadows

I prefer meadows to short mown lawns

We should protect urban nature

We should increase urban nature

The meadow is important for wildlife

The meadow is important for the environment

The meadow is important for people

There is more wildlife on the site because of the meadow

The meadow is a relaxing place to be

The meadow is a special place

The meadow makes me feel more connected to nature

I feel happy when I visit the meadow

The creation of the meadow has encouraged me to visit the site more often

I spend longer at the site because of the meadow

I have noticed more wildlife because of the meadow

I have learnt more about wildlife because of the meadow

The meadow creation project was/is successful

The meadow creation project was not/is not successfulRow 40

What is it about the meadow that makes you think it is or is not successful? What makes the meadow successful or unsuccessful for you? *

Please choose one box for each of the following statements: *

strongly disagree

disagree

neither agree nor disagree

agree

strongly agree

Not applicable

I have told family about the meadow

I have told family to visit the meadow

I bring family to visit the meadow

I bring children to visit the meadow

I have told friends about the meadow

I have told friends to visit the meadow

I bring friends to visit the meadow

Please choose one box for each question: *

No species

1-20 species

20-40 species

40-60 species

More than 60 species

How many native UK plant species do you think are in the meadow?

How many species of native UK insects (butterflies, bees, beetles, flies etc.) do you think this planting will support?

Why do you visit the meadow? Choose as many as are relevant. *

I visit the meadow......

For dog walking

To walk for pleasure

To walk for exercise

To run

For mental health

For relaxation

For viewing scenery

To watch/see nature

To photograph nature

To see wildflowers

To watch wildlife

For birdwatching

For geocaching

For foraging

To be outdoors

To be physically active

For recreation

To hear nature sounds

To escape the urban area

To find solitude

To be with family or friends

For its spiritual value

To learn about wildlife/for the meadow’s educational value

Other:

Required

Of the reasons you have chosen, which one is the most important *

I visit the meadow......

For dog walking

To walk for pleasure

To walk for exercise

To run

For mental health

For relaxation

For viewing scenery

To watch/see nature

To photograph nature

To see wildflowers

To watch wildlife

For birdwatching

For geocaching

For foraging

To be outdoors

To be physically active

For recreation

To hear nature sounds

To escape the urban area

To find solitude

To be with family or friends

For its spiritual value

To learn about wildlife/for the meadow’s educational value

Other:

Of the reasons you have chosen, which one is the least important *

I visit the meadow......

For dog walking

To walk for pleasure

To walk for exercise

To run

For mental health

For relaxation

For viewing scenery

To watch/see nature

To photograph nature

To see wildflowers

To watch wildlife

For birdwatching

For geocaching

For foraging

To be outdoors

To be physically active

For recreation

To hear nature sounds

To escape the urban area

To find solitude

To be with family or friends

For its spiritual value

To learn about wildlife/for the meadow’s educational value

Other:

Do you only visit when the meadow is flowering? *

Yes

Do you enjoy/appreciate the diversity of flowers/plants that you find here? *

Yes

If you answered yes to the previous question, which flowers are your favourites, if any?

Hay meadows are semi-natural habitats which develop over long periods of time under suitable management rather than seed mixes with the species chosen and sown by people. The best way to create a meadow is to use the hay from existing, established meadows and strew this on the new site. Did you know that hay meadows are natural mixes of species rather than artificial, chosen species? *

Yes I knew this

No I didn't know this

Would you expect to find poppies in a naturally occurring hay meadow? *

Yes

Would you like to learn more about the species found in the meadow? *

Yes

If you answered yes to the previous question: how would you like to do learn more about the species: (please choose as many as you wish):

Guided walk

Training day

Join in with volunteer survey day

Other:

The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country carries out wildflower surveys of meadows, with full training provided. If you would like to be involved and help with this survey work, please leave your contact details (name, email and/or phone) below. Otherwise, please leave blank.

Any other comments about the meadow?

What is your gender? *

Prefer not to answer

Female

Male

Other:

Which age group are you in? *

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65-74

75 years or older

Prefer not to answer

What is your highest educational qualification? *

None

Entry Level (GCSE below grade G or 1 or equivalent)

Level 1 (GCSE at grades D–G or 1-3 or equivalent)

Level 2 (GCSE at grade A*–C or 4-9 or equivalent)

Level 3 (A Level or equivalent)

Level 4 (HNC or equivalent)

Level 5 (Foundation degree or equivalent)

Degree

Masters

PhD

Prefer not to answer

Other:

What is your ethnicity? If you prefer not to answer, please leave blank.

Who do you live with? *

Partner

Partner and children

Parents, guardians or family

Alone (widoweed)

Alone

Friends

Prefer not to answer

Other:

Do you visit alone, with family or with friends? Please choose as many as apply. *

Alone

Family

Friends

Other:

Required

What is your employment status? *

Employed

Unemployed

Retired

Student

Self-employed

Look after the home/family

Prefer not to say

Other:

How would you rate your household income? Please choose a number on the scale of 1-10 or leave blank if prefer not to answer.

Low income

High income

Clear selection

Approximately how far do you travel to the meadow or what is you postcode (so that we can work out the distance)? *

Please choose as many as apply: *

I am/ was a

Landscape professional

Horticulture professional

Environmental conservation professional

None of the above

Required

Please choose as many as apply: *

I have an interest in:

landscape

the environment

horticulture/gardening

None of the above

Required

I am/have been an environmental conservation volunteer *

Yes

How often do you typically visit the meadow? *

Every day

Twice a week

Once a week

Once a month

Occasionally

Other:

How long do you typically spend at the meadow? *

Approximately how many years have you been visiting the meadow?

How often do you typically visit the countryside? *

Every day

Twice a week

Once a week

Once a month

Occasionally

Other:

If you know the names of the following 6 meadow species, put their names in the boxes below the photographs. If not, leave blank. Species 1

Species 2

Species 3

Species 4

Species 5

Species 6

Would you like to see any of the following wildlife features at the site and/or do you have them in your garden? Choose as many as you like, or none.

I would like this/these on the greenspace/ site with the meadow

I have this/these at home/in my garden

Nettle bed for butterfly caterpillars

Bird nesting box(es)

Bird feeding station

Nesting home for bees

Bat box(es)

Water features (pond, bird bath)

Wood pile for hedgehogs

Woodpile for insects

Additional nectar rich bedding/ bedding plants

Additional areas of long grass and wildflowers

No pesticide use on the site

I would like this/these on the greenspace/ site with the meadow

I have this/these at home/in my garden

Nettle bed for butterfly caterpillars

Bird nesting box(es)

Bird feeding station

Nesting home for bees

Bat box(es)

Water features (pond, bird bath)

Wood pile for hedgehogs

Woodpile for insects

Additional nectar rich bedding/ bedding plants

Additional areas of long grass and wildflowers

No pesticide use on the site

You have £600 to split between good causes. How much would you give to each choice below? You do not have to give to every cause, but the total must add up to £600. *

1. Environmental protection and animal and plant conservation | 2. Medical research | 3. Human rights | 4. Animal rights | 5. Protecting/helping vulnerable people Answer: e.g. 1.£0, 2. £100 etc.

Why did you want to create a meadow in your greenspace? *

Please choose one box for each statement *

strongly disagree

disagree

do not agree or disagree

agree

strongly agree

The meadow is what I expected

The meadow creation was/is successful

I am happy that the meadow was created

I would recommend having a meadow to other sites/other groups

In what way(s) is the meadow what you expected or better or worse than you expected? Or is it exactly as you expected? *

In what way(s) was/is the meadow creation successful and/or unsuccessful? *

What was good about the meadow creation project and process, if anything?

What was bad about the meadow creation project and process, if anything?

What would you change or add, if anything?

What comments do you get from site users, about the meadow, if any?

What is your impression about what the site users think about the meadow? *

Do you think there are more people visiting the site since the meadow was created? *

More people

The same amount

Less people

Do you think there is more wildlife on the site since the meadow was created? *

More wildlife

The same amount of wildlife

Less wildlife

Do you think the number of plant species in the meadow is increasing, decreasing or staying the same, over time since it was created? *

Increasing

Decreasing

Staying the same

What do you think the cause of this might be, if any?

Have you been involved in managing the meadow?

Yes

Other:

Clear selection

Have there been any problems with the meadow management? (Yes/No) If yes, what have the problems been? *

Have you carried out any monitoring or surveying of the meadow? *

Yes

Other:

Have you used the meadow in the group’s activities in anyway? (Yes/No) If yes, for what? If not, is there a reason for this and what would help you to use the meadow? *

Hay meadows are ancient, permanent semi-natural grassland habitats that have developed in farming. They are a mix of meadow grasses and wildflowers and are good for wildlife. Non-natural wildflower mixes are a mix of species chosen by people. They usually only include flowers and need to be re-sown each year. If you had a choice between having a hay meadow and a wildflower mix in your greenspace, which would you choose? *

Permanent semi-natural hay meadow

Annual wildflower mix

Any other comments?

Thank you for your time

If you would like to find out more about local wildlife and receive local wildlife news please sign-up to the Wildlife Trust’s e-bulletin: https://www.bbcwildlife.org.uk/SignUp

The Wildlife Trust would love to hear about the wildlife you’ve spotted at our meadows, to find out how to tell us please click: https://www.bbcwildlife.org.uk/MeadowMonitoring

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