ECO - Churches Count on Nature

Pupils from Lichfield Cathedral school have been taking part in a project to discover and identify the rich biodiversity that surrounds the cathedral.

During the second week of June, pupils monitored flora and fauna around the cathedral precincts.

More than 50 young people with the help of 4 cathedral volunteers took part in the scheme run by Churches Count on Nature which is one of the Caring for God’s Acre’s national initiatives.

This year a total of 53 pupils took part as part of Year 5, 7, 8 and 9 Forest School lessons and one after-school club. They were assisted by 4 cathedral volunteers.

Their work identified more than 100 different species including the blue mint beetle, black medic and the forest cuckoo bumblebee.

In addition, supported by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, a long strip of grass has been allowed to flower through until mid-July before it is mowed.

Caring for God’s Acre is a national charity, based in the Lichfield Diocese, which promotes the conservation of burial sites and supports the volunteers who look after and maintain them.

Rev Canon Dr David Primrose who’s in charge of work on the Environment, Social Justice and Community Outreach said:

“Churchyards are oases of biodiversity, having over the years been spared the impact of pesticides, fertilisers and ploughing. This is an exciting opportunity to discover the amazing flora and fauna that is already there around our cathedral."