Meadows and grasslands rich in wild flowers such as oxeye daisies, buttercups and myriad orchids have declined disastrously since the 1930’s - we have lost 97 per cent (nearly 7.5 million acres). More are being lost each year through neglect, conversion to other land use or development. The South West has held on to more than most with 62 per cent of the UK’s calcareous grasslands in Wiltshire & Dorset, and 57 per cent of the flower-rich pastures in the Culm grassland of Devon and Cornwall and on the Somerset Levels. Farmers and landowners are crucial in protecting the remaining precious spaces, and reversing the trend of loss by making more.

The search has begun for the nations’ most successful ‘Meadow Makers’ across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales. We are looking for landowners, smallholders and farmers, who have successfully juggled the challenges of running farm businesses, while conserving wildflower meadows and grasslands.

As part of Save Our Magnificent Meadows, the UK’s largest partnership project transforming the fortunes of vanishing wildflower meadows, grasslands and wildlife, this Award will acknowledge their efforts. Led by Plantlife, the partnership of 11 organisations is working to restore 6,000 hectares of wildflower meadows and grasslands, primarily funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

These people are the unsung heroes of the conservation world, setting a fantastic example of how to protect our meadow heritage, and inspiring others to follow suit. Recognising their achievements with this national Award is our opportunity to appreciate and celebrate their commitment to the conservation of the UK’s last surviving meadows. Perhaps, like Henry Edmunds on the Cholderton Estate in Wiltshire who has restored fields of barley to flower-rich chalk grassland on the fringes of Salisbury Plain. We want to share their stories.

RSPB’s Wiltshire reserves manager, Patrick Cashman said “It is a privilege to witness the work of people like Henry, who have recreated gorgeous flower and butterfly filled downs, through their passion for the countryside by thinking about wildlife as they farm.”

Or the Friends Of Dance Common. A community group who have begun work to transform an area of common ground that had become a wasteland used by joy riders. As early work progresses and sympathetic management introduced it is surprising how species such as pyramidal orchids become apparent.

“It is great to see community groups come together and protect an asset such as this. As the site is restored more and more people get involved, and the site becomes a place to visit, and enjoy the grassland wildlife” said Neil Pullen, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Reserves Manger.

Marian Spain, CEO of Plantlife, said: “Meadows were once a common feature of our countryside throughout the UK. We want to showcase the work of those who are helping to conserve the remaining ones, as inspiration to help reverse a lifetime of loss.”

Entries for ‘Meadow Makers’ are welcome from now to July 31 with the winners for each nation (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) announced in September 2015. For more information and details on how to enter, visit www.magnificentmeadows.org.uk.