On Wednesday 5 June 2013, The Coronation Meadows Project announced that one of the Manx Wildlife Trust's nature reserves, Close Sartfield, had been selected as the Coronation Meadow for the Isle of Man.

The Coronation Meadows Project was inspired by Prince Charles to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation, following reports of serious declines in many of the UK’s wildflower meadows and their associated species. It has been calculated that these habitats have declined by 97% in the UK since the 1930’s.  The aims of the project are to identify and promote some of the best wildlife-rich meadows across the British Isles. Many of these meadows will be used as ‘donor’ sites to restore other meadows, thus creating a legacy that will continue to restore and rebuild some of the most beautiful and important habitats.  Nominations for Coronation Meadows were invited and submitted to a panel of judges made up of representatives from The Wildlife Trusts, Plantlife and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust – the partners in the project.  The 60 meadows identified so far represent some of the most outstanding wildflower meadows in the UK and beyond.  By the end of the year it is hoped there will be over one hundred of these sites.

The wide variety of plants found in wildflower meadows supports a wealth of insects, especially bees and butterflies.  Wildflower meadows are dependant for their very existence upon on hay-making and seasonal grazing, as takes place at Close Sartfield.

Tricia Sayle, Reserves Officer for the Manx Wildlife Trust said, “This is a great honour and testament to all the hard work of the Trust’s practical volunteers, and to the local farmers who cut the hay for us and graze their sheep here over the winter.  It is also rather fitting that this should occur in the year the Manx Wildlife Trust celebrates its 40th anniversary.”

There is a walk around Close Sartfield nature reserve scheduled for Sunday 16 June 2013, meeting at 2.30pm in the on-site car park.  This walk will be guided by Tricia Sayle and participants will have the chance to learn more about the site and its management.  Dogs are not allowed on the reserve and this event is not suitable for children.  A boardwalk and hardcore path makes part of this reserve accessible for those with walking difficulties or in a wheelchair.

For further details please contact the Manx Wildlife Trust on 844432.

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