Wyevale Nurseries, based in Kings Acre in Hereford, is a family-run business with decades of horticultural heritage. Established in 1930, they’re a leading wholesale supplier of British sown and grown trees and plants. Due to their strong emphasis on biosecurity, they have consistently maintained their own propagation facilities. This approach allows them to cultivate most of their stock from managed plants and responsibly sourced, certified seeds, rather than relying on the more common practice of importing and trading stock.
By joining us as an Investor in Wildlife corporate member, the Trust will benefit from exchanging advice and support at Wyevale Wood, our nearby nature reserve. We’re also working with them as part of our Wye Adapt to Climate Change project to improve habitat along the part of the Yazor Brook that runs through the site.
Heather Williamson, Chair at Wyevale Nurseries and granddaughter of founder Henry Williamson, says:
“We recognise that we have a significant role to play in contributing to the greening of our landscapes and gardens whilst operating sustainably, making a valuable contribution to our people, community, and our shared environment.
Sustainability is one of our primary considerations and we are well on our way to reaching net zero. Our latest initiative is to create a new reservoir to help capture, store and recycle more water. The reservoir is expected to attract new species of wildlife to the area, as well as helping to alleviate local flooding risk and release water slowly in drier times to protect against the impacts of drought. We’ll also be planting a native hedgerow and wildflower meadows. The natural habitat around the site will be enhanced with new bat and bird boxes, insect blocks and a hedgehog nesting box. Three hibernacula (underground chambers for reptiles and amphibians) will also be constructed.”
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Head of Nature Action Frances Weeks says:
“Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s mission is to put nature into recovery, reversing the declines in the abundance and diversity of native habitats and wildlife. Everyone should have the chance to hear the call of the curlew across Herefordshire’s meadows, walk through boughs of blossom in our traditional orchards and watch wildlife from the leafy banks of cool, clear rivers.
The Trust, however, can’t do this alone. We need to collaborate with landowners, communities, schools and businesses to create a wilder, greener and more sustainable Herefordshire. There are a multitude of ways we can make a difference together from small projects such as installing wildlife ponds to recovering nature on a larger-scale – collaborating on wetland creation or meadow restoration for example. We are keen to work with urban and rural businesses to support nature-friendly practices from landscaping and planting around offices and inspiring staff and customers to looking out how production methods or supply chains can be altered to be better for nature.”