Unlocking the hidden value of land restoration
Former Tarmac quarry in Warwickshire transformed into a haven for butterflies, moths, and other wildlife
AT a time when environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation are paramount, restoring former industrial sites has proven to be an opportunity to create thriving ecosystems. One example can be found in the transformation of Tarmac’s former quarry in Warwickshire, known as Ryton Wood Meadows, where a conservation programme by Butterfly Conservation – a British charity devoted to saving butterflies, moths, and their habitats throughout the UK – is under way with the specialist expertise of butterfly conservation manager Mike Slater.
Since the Butterfly Conservation programme began, more than 12.4ha have been actively restored, making Ryton Wood Meadows a beacon of biodiversity that showcases how thoughtful management can breathe new life into post-industrial landscapes. As a result, Ryton Wood Meadows is now the most biodiverse site in Warwickshire and home to a rich array of species.
A surprising habitat transformation
Ryton Wood Meadows’ biodiversity success can be attributed to its unusual history. After the quarry was closed in 1995, parts of the land were filled which resulted in a range of soil types and acidity levels – perfect for creating varied habitats that could support different species.
Since becoming a designated nature reserve in 2007, Ryton Wood Meadows has evolved into a haven for wildlife, with more than 36 of Warwickshire’s 38 butterfly species, including the white admiral, purple hairstreak, and silver-washed fritillary, more than 570 species of moth, of which four are nationally scarce, and 250 species of wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses. The biodiversity at this site also includes 20 species of dragonflies, around 50 species of birds (including flyovers), and a variety of mammals including deer, badgers, weasels, stoats, and hedgehogs. The site also supports 11 species of bat, reflecting its high-quality, diverse habitats.
Two of the sites’ notable species include the purple hairstreak, a stunning butterfly readily identified by its iridescent purple streak that sits starkly against dark background of the upper wing, and, the rarest of butterflies at Ryton Wood Meadows, the wood white, which has a crisp white upper wing with dusty grey makings underneath and was classified as ‘endangered’ on the GB Red List (2022).
The power of active management
The regeneration did not happen by chance, it took vision and clear understanding of the potential for nature to thrive here, from working with Tarmac’s restoration and landfill teams to get the landscaping and soils conditions just right, through to the long-term active management and consistent dedication of Butterfly Conservation conservationists and volunteers. Since 2007, teams have met almost every Sunday to manage the land, with a particular focus on encouraging the growth of native species. They started with a generic wildflower seed mix, which gradually became more diverse over time as additional specific native wildflowers were introduced. Many species arrived naturally from the nearby woods, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),which significantly enhanced the Ryton Wood Meadows’ ecological richness.
In addition to the reintroduction of native flora, more than 1km of new species-rich hedgerows were planted with biodiversity in mind and included more than 20 different species of shrubs and trees. The hedges are now carefully managed and layered, making them ideal habitats for rare species such as the brown hairstreak butterfly, whose numbers have seen a dramatic increase. In 2012, conservationists could find only 11 eggs of this butterfly during a 10h survey, whereas by last year, that number had soared to 540 eggs found in the same amount of time, another of Ryton woods’ great successes.
The benefits of restoring post-Industrial landscapes
The transformation at Ryton Wood Meadows highlights the benefits of restoring post-industrial landscapes for biodiversity. The varied soil conditions, from sandy to clay-heavy areas, created a range of microhabitats. Some plant species arrived naturally, while others were carefully managed to balance the site’s ecological needs. Additionally, over time, garden escapes – non-native plants introduced unintentionally – were managed, with some needing to be eradicated and others integrated into the ecosystem where they posed no threat.
The success of the Ryton Wood Meadows’ restoration is not just anecdotal – it is backed by rigorous monitoring. Volunteers and ecologists meticulously track the populations of key species, particularly butterflies and moths. A butterfly transect has been conducted for more than a decade, revealing a dramatic rise in species such as the orange tip, which went from near-zero sightings in the first few years to 88 sightings in 2023, despite it being a poor year for butterflies elsewhere.
This focus on monitoring provides invaluable data to demonstrate the effectiveness of biodiversity restoration projects, evidencing the benefits of specific management techniques, showcasing best practice, and making the case for similar efforts across the country.
A model for future conservation
Ryton Wood Meadows is a leading demonstration of the potential of former industrial lands to be transformed into rich ecosystems that support wildlife and biodiversity. By combining active management, natural regeneration, and targeted restoration efforts, conservationists have successfully created a biodiversity hotspot from a post-quarry landscape.
As the UK faces increasing pressures on natural habitats, Ryton Wood Meadows serves as an inspiring model for future land restoration projects; partnerships that deliver for nature is something that Tarmac continue to aspire to. This showcases the remarkable resilience of nature and the tangible benefits that come from investing in long-term conservation efforts. In an age of environmental uncertainty, where biodiversity loss is a known driver of climate change, this success story offers hope and guidance on how a more biodiverse and sustainable future can be created for all.
