King's Meads at Sunset © Steve Kenny | Birds Eye Studios
Restoring the Majesty of the Meads
This project aimed to establish King's Meads Nature Reserve as a haven for wildlife as well as the local community.
Located between Hertford and Ware, the nature reserve is one of the largest floodplain grasslands in Hertfordshire and home to a large variety of wildlife, including hundreds of wildflower, more than 100 bird and 19 dragonfly species. It is a vital link in the chain of interconnected wetlands of the Lee Valley and one of the best sites in the county to see water voles and the rare water violet.
Water violet
© Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Meadow pipit © Tim Hill
Four-spotted chaser © Russell Savory
The four-year project, King’s Meads: Restoring the Majesty of the Meads, aimed to improve the site for wildlife and people, increase local engagement, undertake effective activities and raise its profile more widely through:
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A comprehensive programme of habitat management
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A suite of access improvement works
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A programme of volunteering and community engagement activities.
The project engaged a diverse range of people and communities across the local area, spanning people of various ages, abilities, socio-economic backgrounds as well as Trust volunteer work parties. We were able to work with local company European Flavours and Fragrances, numerous local community groups via the East Herts Healthy Hub, Hertford Town Council as well as students from a variety of courses attending Hertford Regional College (Ware) who were lucky enough to have the reserve on their doorstep.Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
Three dedicated Project Officers worked over the four year period, together with local volunteers to restore the various habitats, open up access to the public and engage the community with its local natural heritage, through events and volunteering opportunities. Project Officer Dave Willis began the work and forged early links with the college. In 2022, Lea Ellis took over as a Wilder Communities Officer and was then succeeded by Chloé Harmsworth in 2024. Staff were supported by members of the Reserves Team, in particular Kathryn Dunnett, whose knowledge and expertise on the flora and fauna was gratefully received.
Estimated to take around three years to complete the project was finally completed at the end of 2024 due to a delay because of Covid-19 restrictions.
King's Meads at Sunset © Steve Kenny | Birds Eye Studios
King's Meads Nature Reserve
One of the largest surviving floodplain grasslands in Hertfordshire, this King's Meads Nature Reserve is valued by the local community for its natural heritage and wildlife. It is home to hundreds of species of wildflower and more than 100 bird species.
Always Bee You is a Herts based charity enabling adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues to access the opportunities, skills and support they need to live fulfilled lives. They joined us for a wellbeing and nature discovery walk in May 2024.
Students on the Level 3 Animation Group were tasked to create animations and presentations based on their visits to the reserve. This one is a still taken from a film by Callum.
Carers In Herts enjoyed a number of wellbeing walks at the reserve.
Photo Lea Ellis
Students from the college enjoyed sketching what they saw
Students from the college enjoy a sunny Autumn walk.
Photo by Chloé Harmsworth.