Virtual Tour: Grange Project

Why we ❤ our marshy grassland! 🌾🌱🍀 #1/6 of the Grange Farm Virtual Tour:

A fantastic source of biodiversity, our undisturbed marshy grassland has got us (and the ecologists) excited! Here are a few facts about this unique habitat:

• Marshy grasslands, like other wetland ecosystems, are effective at trapping and storing carbon by creating peat (helping to address climate change).

• They act as natural sponges, absorbing excess rainwater and reducing the risk of downstream flooding in extreme weather events.

• Marshy grasslands support a wide range of biodiversity, including several bird species and special plants, in this photo you can see: hairy willowherb (the pink one – a magnet for pollinators) and meadowsweet (the white one – a long history in herbal medicine).

Why we love our ancient oaks! 🌳❤️ #2/6 of the Grange Farm Virtual Tour

When we first viewed the Farm, it was under the shade of the ancient oaks that we decided we’d found our new home. Here are some of our favourite facts about these majestic trees:

• From their decaying wood for fungi 🍄, flowers for pollinators 🦋 and acorns for jays and squirrels 🐿️; ancient oaks support more life forms than any other native trees.

• The nooks, crannies and hollows that form in ancient oaks create unique microhabitats, providing nesting sites for birds 🐦 and roosting places for bats 🦇.

• Some oaks can live for over 1000 years (capturing and storing carbon for centuries, playing a role in climate regulation 🌍).

Why we 💚 our wooded stream!🌊 #3/6 of the Grange Project Virtual Tour:

Aside from the hours the children spend exploring our stretch of stream (fighting mythical serpents 🐍, finding fairy dells 🧚‍♀️ and creating a lot of washing 🧺!), it turns out there are a range of special things about wooded streams:

• The combination of water💧 and dense vegetation🌳 supports a wide range of species, from aquatic invertebrates and fish in the water, to mammals, birds, and insects in the surrounding trees and vegetation.

• Trees and shrubs🌲 improve water quality and help to regulate the temperature of the water, ensuring better conditions for a range of aquatic species.

• Fallen leaves🍂, branches and even whole trees can enter the stream and this organic matter serves as a primary food source for bacteria, fungi and insects, which in turn improve the soil conditions (helping to form a nutrient cycle).

Why we love our bushy hedges! 🌳💚 #4/6 of the Grange Farm Virtual Tour 🌾📸

Standard farming practice often involves ‘flailing’ hedges, essentially, giving them an annual haircut ✂️ to keep them tidy and ensure they don’t get in the way of farming activities. However, this can have a negative impact for wildlife 🐦🐛 and we’re lucky that the hedges at the Grange Project have been mostly left to their own devices. Here is why we love them:

• Bushy hedges provide everything from nesting sites for birds 🐦, nuts for small mammals, flowers for bees and blackberries for humans 🍇

• They create wildlife corridors 🦌🦔, allowing animals to move between habitats without exposing themselves to open ground.

• By acting as windbreaks, controlling soil erosion 🌍 and helping to regulate microclimates 🌦️, bushy hedges provide important ecological services.

Why we 💚 our naturally regenerated woodland! 🌳 #5/6 of the Grange Farm Virtual Tour:

Due to being boggy and inaccessible, there are areas of the farm where human intervention has been really minimal. It is here that natural regeneration of trees has started and, in this case, nature has chosen Alder (it is soggy after all!)

So why do we love natural regeneration?

🌱 Self-Selection: These trees have chosen their perfect spots, so they're more likely to thrive right where they are.

🌍 Ecosystem Benefits: Natural regeneration brings a bunch of perks, like better water quality, carbon storage, and healthier soil.

🌱 Eco-Friendly: No plastic tree guards, minimal soil disruption, and lower risk of plant failure compared to traditional tree planting.

Why we ❤ our barns! #6/6 of the Grange Farm Virtual Tour:

Alongside our 80 acres, Grange Farm is home to a selection of barns: the five modern agricultural barns are ready for new opportunities and the grade 2 listed stone barns (some dating back from the 15th century) could also do with some love.

So, why do we love our barns?

• 🎓We can’t wait to share our journey with visitors to the Grange Project and one of the modern barns is earmarked to be a beautiful education space, with fantastic views across the wilder landscape.

• 🤝We’re excited to partner with local businesses who may be looking for premises in a rural location, or indeed people looking for a home (preferably those with an interest in biodiversity, and some masonry skills!)

• 🦉🦇Finally, barns are excellent for biodiversity – providing shelter and nesting opportunities for various wildlife species like owls, bats and swallows.