A herd of cattle is being employed to enhance biodiversity and strengthen nature conservation in the Stroud Valleys, Gloucestershire, as part of an ongoing environmental project.

The National Trust has deployed a group of 100 Belted Galloway cattle to manage the landscape and help boost wildlife across thousands of hectares in the Cotswolds. The initiative is part of the Stroud Landscape Project, which has been transforming 21,000 hectares of land since its launch in 2017. The project aims to create more resilient ecosystems, better prepared for climate change, while also restoring habitats for various species.

One of the key objectives of this effort has been to reinstate wildflower meadows, restore ancient woodlands, and establish wildlife corridors. The conservation project has successfully reintroduced species like the rare large blue butterfly, while other species, such as Duke of Burgundy butterflies and greater horseshoe bats, are thriving thanks to the grazing activities of the Belted Galloways.

The cattle, known affectionately as “Belties,” are particularly adept at grazing steep terrain and consuming grasses that many other animals avoid. They are instrumental in maintaining the delicate balance of the grasslands, promoting the growth of rare plants like thyme, marjoram, and orchids. Additionally, their grazing supports the health of the ecosystem by encouraging the presence of beneficial insects and dung beetles, which are crucial for sustaining local wildlife.

The project also recently introduced a young red-and-white Belted Galloway bull, named Charlie, to the herd. This lighter-coated breed is expected to cope better with the increasing heat due to climate change. The introduction of this bull is part of the National Trust’s long-term plan to future-proof the herd and improve the environmental impact of the grazing efforts.

In the coming years, further projects will be implemented, including the planting of 1,140 metres of new hedgerows across various estates. These efforts are expected to have a positive effect not only on local wildlife but also on the broader fight against nature decline, with the goal of seeing tangible improvements by 2030.

This initiative exemplifies how collaboration and conservation grazing can rapidly yield results that benefit both nature and the surrounding communities.