Rare Vascular Plants of the Mendips
Enhancing threatened species populations across Somerset
Population enhancements
With project delivery lasting from July 2026 until March 2029, this Species Recovery project aims to enhance Autumn lady’s-tresses & Cheddar Pink populations across the Mendip Hills. This will be achieved through:
Habitat management, mowing and grazing regime reviews
Assessing climate impacts and species distributions
Engaging landowners on wider limestone grassland management
We will be working in partnership with the National Trust, as well as collaborating with the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Group on the Clifton Downs (Bristol), to better understand and improve these species.
Image: Robert Campbell
Main Project Contacts
Finlay Clothier, Project Manager, Nature Recovery
finlay.clothier@somersetwildlife.org
Sam Martin, Project Coordinator
sam.martin@somersetwildlife.org
Species Recovery Programme
The main aim of the programme is to deliver targeted action for threatened species with bespoke needs. Through this programme Natural England offers funding across a wide range of taxonomic groups, threat statuses (prioritising those most at risk in England), habitat types, geography and organisations whilst maintaining value for money with public spending.
The programme is underpinned by the recent publication of the Threatened Species Recovery Actions dataset and tool, which identifies the 3 main key actions to undertake for threatened species in England, in order to move them along their Species Recovery Curve.
Targeted action may include but is not limited to:
- Fundamental ecological research to ascertain the drivers of decline, then design and recommend solutions for species recovery.
- Trialling of new solutions to halt declines and recover species.
- Targeted monitoring and surveys to establish the current status of species under threat of extinction.
- Conservation translocations and reintroductions.
- Bespoke species and habitat management to secure the immediate future of threatened species.