Wild churchyards

Churchyards and graveyards are ideal havens for wildlife: many birds nest and feed in them, many wild flowers thrive, and their trees are often important and historical features of the town or village.

The grassland habitats within churchyards are particularly important for wildflowers, butterflies and insects - churchyards may be the only fragments of unimproved, wildlife-rich grassland remaining locally and can be a vital refuge for the species of these habitats. Even churchyards which are less wildlife-rich are still important, providing a link between other wildlife sites, allowing all species - especially those threatened - to move and spread.

The sympathetic management of churchyards for wildlife can be balanced with the other values of peace, beauty and harmony which churchyards provide: our Churchyard Conservation Awards are inspiring and encouraging the management of these spaces for the benefit of all species - find out more below

Northamptonshire

Since 1983 we have run a Conservation Churchyard Award scheme in the county, established by renowned naturalist Franklyn Perring, helping people increase the wildlife of their churchyards. Any churchyard can request an advisory visit where our advisers will provide information on how best to encourage wildlife in their churchyards. They can then enter the scheme where there are Bronze, Silver and Gold awards that can be worked towards. All those that enter will receive a visit from our judges, a report with recommendations and a plaque to be displayed in the churchyard, which is presented at our annual churchyard forum.

We have engaged with more than 90 churches and there are currently 23 with awards; entry form in section below.

For more information email northamptonshire@wildlifebcn.org or call 01604 405285 to arrange to meet an adviser, answer questions and give advice.

Cambridgeshire

We run a Conservation Churchyard Award scheme in the county to help people increase the wildlife of their churchyards. Judges visit all entrants and provide information on how best to encourage wildlife, as well as rewarding the best churchyards at an annual ceremony. Any churchyard can enter the scheme and receive an advisory visit and a plaque to display. There are then Bronze, Silver and Gold awards that can be worked towards.

Cambridgeshire Churchyard Conservation Award Scheme Entry Form

For more information please contact Diana Cook to arrange for an adviser to meet up with you, answer your questions and give advice.

Bedfordshire

The Wildlife Trust, in partnership with the Diocese of St Albans, helps to run the Living Churchyard Project in the county to help churches manage their churchyards in a wildlife-friendly way, while being sensitive to the needs of all the users and in particular to its primary function as a resting place for the dead and a contemplative place for their friends and relatives. For more information see the Diocese of St Albans webpage about the project.

If you are involved with management of a churchyard in Bedfordshire and would like some advice, please contact us and, together with a representative from the Diocese of St Albans, we will meet you to answer your questions and give some advice.