Meadows need maintaining - with the help of four-legged helpers such as sheep and cattle – and human volunteers. These 'unimproved' grasslands are some of our most important habitats for wildlife conservation, supporting up to 100 kinds of grasses and wildflowers - which, in turn, support a great variety of insects and other creatures. If they are not managed and maintained, bramble and scrub will take over. Clearing brambles and bracken - especially around field boundaries – strimming, and raking up cut grass are all essential tasks. Cut grass needs to be removed if the grasslands are to continue to buzz with bees, grasshoppers and other creatures; leaving it results in soli enrichment and wildlflower meadows need nutrient poor soils to thrive.