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Can Ancient Scything Save a Rare Bumblebee?
The three-year project will restore flower-rich meadows and train volunteers to monitor wildlife as the shrill carder bee has declined sharply.
- English Heritage has launched a volunteer scything team at Muchelney Abbey in Somerset, England, to restore historic meadows and protect the rare Shrill Carder bee.
- This three-year project with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust aims to reverse significant population declines caused by habitat loss; the site is among 100 grassland locations enhanced to mark King Charles III's 2023 coronation.
- Trained by the Exmoor National Park Authority, volunteers use traditional hand tools to manage vegetation without harming insects; honoring the history of 'roaming scythers,' they receive a symbolic 'payment' of bread and cheese.
- Tracking bee movement and plant health, the team provides scientific data for conservationists; an English Heritage spokesperson added, "Rather than simply recording bee numbers, volunteers will monitor the relationship between bees and the wider meadow ecosystem."
- Ginny Slade, volunteer and community engagement manager, noted the team may eventually expand to other sites, stating, "Scything is a wonderful example of how traditional skills can still have a role in addressing modern challenges.
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Can ancient scything save a rare bumblebee?
The centuries-old countryside tradition is being revived by English Heritage to help restore meadows at Muchelney Abbey in Somerset, England.
·Cherokee County, United States
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New generation being trained in age-old skill used in Britain for hundreds of years
A new team of volunteer scythers are being trained to help restore historic meadows and support one of Britain’s rarest bee species, according to English Heritage.The charity is reviving the centuries-old tradition of “roaming scythers”, who once travelled between meadows using traditional hand tools to cut grass and hay.In return for their work, they were often rewarded with food and drink such as bread, cheese and cider.The newly established v…
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources36
Leaning Left4Leaning Right7Center23Last UpdatedBias Distribution68% Center
Bias Distribution
- 68% of the sources are Center
68% Center
12%
C 68%
R 20%
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