Nature finds a way
Lichens growing on gravestones at Old St Stephen's Church, Robin Hood's Bay
photo credit Deb Gillanders
Natural grazing...
Lugless, the one-eared sheep, a member of the mowing team at Old St Stephen’s Church
photo credit Deb Gillanders
Flowering grasses provide a rich food source...
All Hallows Churchyard, Kirkburton flourishes with important food plants for butterflies and their caterpillars
photo credit Ian Gunson
...bringing in butterflies
The rich variety of grasses at All Hallows Church, Kirkburton attracts brown butterflies like the Wall Brown, the Meadow Brown, and the Gatekeeper
photo credit Wildstock
photo credit Jean A Hall
a soft carpet
nectar rich wild flowers around ancient gravestones in Adel St. John the Baptist Churchyard in Leeds
photo credit Neil Aldridge
Yorkshire - county of Living Churchyards – where God’s Acre is ablaze with native wild flowers, alive with bees, butterflies, birds and small mammals, a sanctuary for the living as well as for the dead
The English churchyard - God's Acre - is unique
Sensitive management can enable an abundance and diversity of indigenous and naturalised wildlife to flourish but without forgetting the churchyard’s primary purpose as a sacred place of remembrance and the last resting place for our forebears. Taken together, the 1300+ Yorkshire churchyards make a significant area of land that has survived untouched by intensive agriculture and urban development.
Many native plant and lichen species and their associated fauna survive only in churchyards
The churchyard can redress the loss, since World War II, of almost all of our colourful hay meadows and its importance for wildlife was recognised as early as 1972. By 1984 it had been demonstrated that many native plant and lichen species and their associated fauna survived only in churchyards. This came to the attention of Dr John Habgood, then Archbishop of York, and following his discussions with Sir David Attenborough the Yorkshire Living Churchyard Project was launched as a joint venture between Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of York.
When requested, members of the Project make advisory visits to churchyards and burial grounds, regardless of denomination, to help people create a Living Churchyard within their community.
Each year, a number of Open Churchyard events are held and Project members are available to give talks to groups.
A copy of the Churchyard Management booklet and our twice-yearly newsletter is available to download below - if you would like a copy of these posting out to you, or if you would like more information please contact the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Living Churchyard Officer.
Transformations...
St Helen and the Holy Cross, Sheriff Hutton
This churchyard was one of the first to be managed for wildlife. After many years of being close-mown throughout, areas were designated for less frequent mowing and a rich variety of native wild flowers appeared there, attracting insects and birds. Areas of tended graves are kept close-mown for easy access and a display in the church gives information for parishioners and visitors about the importance of the churchyard for wildlife.
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St Helen's, Wheldrake
A rich sward of grasses and wild flower species now lines the paths around St Helen's Churchyard in Wheldrake.
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Latest news, updates and additional useful resources
Our most recent newsletter and the following resources are all available below for you to download:
- 'Some native British trees and shrubs' - a brief guide to a variety of native British species
- 'Some effects of artificial lighting on wildlife' - useful notes
- The Living Churchyard Management Booklet
Contact
Please email Living Churchyard Project Officer Elizabeth Hardcastle for further advice and information.
Downloads
| Filename | File size |
|---|---|
| Some native British trees and shrubs.pdf | 74.49 KB |
| Some effects of artificial lighting on wildlife.pdf | 96.56 KB |
| Yorkshire Living Churchyard Spring Newsletter 2011.pdf | 1.19 MB |
| Living Churchyard Management Booklet 2011.pdf | 6.65 MB |
| 2011 AUTUMN NEWSLETTER.pdf | 2.01 MB |