English Heritage has initiated a project to revive traditional scything techniques as part of efforts to conserve one of Britain’s rarest bumblebee species, the shrill carder bee. The initiative focuses on restoring flower-rich meadows at Muchelney Abbey in Somerset, a site with origins dating back to the 7th or 8th century.

The project forms part of a three-year plan aimed at enhancing the habitat conditions necessary for the shrill carder bee, which has experienced significant declines due to the loss of suitable grassland environments. English Heritage volunteers, trained by the Exmoor National Park Authority, will carry out the work in collaboration with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

Following training, the volunteer team will expand their efforts by applying traditional scything methods to several other English Heritage sites across Somerset on a trial basis. An English Heritage spokesperson highlighted the importance of the region, noting that Somerset remains one of the few areas in the UK where the shrill carder bee continues to survive.

The project represents a targeted approach to biodiversity conservation by using time-honored land management techniques to help restore and maintain habitats critical for pollinator populations. It also underscores the role that historic sites can play in contemporary environmental preservation.