11/08/2011 – Monitoring and management of the grassland trials will continue and is providing Longcliffe with lots of knowledge as to hay meadow restoration in the future.

11/08/2011 – The grassland trial area has now been cut with the crop being left to deposit seed on the site and then will be removed to mimic traditional hay meadow management practices.

11/08/2011 – The year 2 results of the grassland establishment trials have overall been very positive and from which we are learning vast amounts.General trends so far suggest that: -The higher the proportion of topsoil in the substrate mix, the higher the species diversity and vigour of plant growth. -Not all species diversity is wanted such as Docks and Thistles. -There is a good amount of colonisation on the trial site from outside sources of rare and interesting plants such as Cudweed, Black Medic and Clovers. -Ground cover and soil stability on site has continued to increase.

04/07/2011 – Annual monitoring of the grassland trials is currently underway with a fantastic array of species within the trial, both sown and colonised. The data has been gathered and the results are now being analysed. Early impressions suggest that the trial has developed and matured in a positive manner despite the very dry spring that has been experienced.

12/07/2010 – Annual monitoring will continue. Management to trials to begin at the end of July.

12/07/2010 – Data gathered and report published. Findings will help with restoration program.

09/06/2010 – Summer report due to begin 9th June

15/03/2010 – Interim report published

11/08/2011 – The four acre field sown this spring has been topped recently to control the rapid growth of annual weeds and to encourage grass growth. There is now good ground cover considering the poor growing conditions this year. We look forwrd to the continued development of the hay meadow through the autumn.

19/04/2011 – The four acres of land previously worked down to create a seedbed has now been sown with the hay meadow seed and has been rolled in. We eagerly await the results of our work.

05/04/2011 – Four acres of land with the topsoil removed has been worked down to create a seedbed through the use of chain harrows. Large stones and rocks have been removed to aid future mangement of the site. Sowing of the hay meadow seed is expected to be later in the week, weather permitting.

06/01/2011 – Another area of land from which topsoil has been removed has been identified as another potential site for hay meadow creation in the spring of 2011. This site will also aid overall quarry restoration knowledge.

06/01/2011 – The hay meadow restoration project has been put on hold until spring 2011 due to weather conditions and weed control issues on the proposed site.

07/09/2010 – Seed collected after being processed

07/09/2010 – Seed harvested from Hartington Meadows

12/07/2010 – 0.2 hectares to be managed and improved from current state, 1.2 hectares set for complete restoration.

01/06/2010 – Date set for field assessment. (species identification)

25/05/2010 – Outline management plan for hay meadow restoration

24/05/2010 – Grassland areas designated for restoration

24/08/2011 – On friday 19th August, Ken Orpe a butterfly recorder for Derbyshire visited the longcliffe estate as this area was previously unrecorded. The day started off slow with it being a cool morning but as the sun got up the place came alive with butterflies. In total 12 butterfly species were seen in this short 3 hour window. These species were the green veined white, small copper, red admiral, peacock, common blue, large white, small tortoiseshell, speckled wood, gatekeeper and meadow brown. However the most exciting part of the day was the find of wall brown and small heath which are both BAP species and join the dingy skipper another BAP species already known to be on site. It was also noted that there were 3 dragonfly species and a variety of moths. This is exciting news and shows the current array of biodiversity onsite already. Further consultation with experts and longcliffes commitment to biodiversity should enable protection and increases in number for these species as well as enhancing biodiversity in the area.

04/07/2011 – On 11th June 2011 Longcliffe Quarries hosted another BAP open day for interested parties. This time the weather was much improved with glorious sunshine allowing the group to walk between the sites and enjoy the views and biodiversity out on show. The biodiversity was particularly impressive with a large amount of flora in flower putting on a fantastic display, including Frog Orchids and Marsh Orchids alongside an array of butterflies. It also allowed people to see how the landscape and environmental projects have developed since the previous open day. A throughly enjoyable day for all involved.

19/04/2011 – The BAP has now been completed and published and is now actively being used to help manage the quarry sites. To launch the BAP an open day took place on March 5th for interested parties to attend. Twenty two people attended and were shown the BAP sites and how the BAP was being implemented as well as other environmental activities that are taking place across the Longcliffe estate.

06/01/2011 – Final consultation regarding the BAP is taking place between the steering group members and the final BAP will be published in due course.

06/01/2011 – The draft BAP has been recently discussed between the steering group members. From this meeting target species and habitats were indentified. Future management proposals for the sites involved in the BAP were discussed to support the target species and habitats.

06/01/2011 – A draft BAP has been drawn up with the contribution of information from the steering group.

24/04/2010 – Site visit with steering group

05/04/2011 – Woodland areas on the Longcliffe estate previously not included in the woodland management plan are now being incorporated into this plan. The woodland management plan is also continually being updated as work is carried out to woodland areas.

05/04/2011 – Thinning of woodland continues with visible improvements to woodland structure, landscape character, biodiversity and screening value.

26/01/2011 – Woodland management has started with the thinning of some mixed species plantation woodland. The aim of this work is to allow the woodland to develop whilst maintaning screening values. The landscape value of the woodland is also being taken into account with species typical for the area being ecouraged such as Beech and Ash. Timber and brash from the operations are being left as deadwood to improve the habitat value of the area.

06/01/2011 – A number of saplings have recently been planted around the quarry in accordance with the landscape character of the area. This has involved the planting of appropriate species (Ash, Sycamore and Hawthorn) alongside stone walls. This will improve the landscape character of the area and also provide screening value to break up views of the quarrying operations.

06/01/2011 – The woodland management plan has been consulted and alongside site visits, woodland areas of high priority have been chosen to have work carried out within them. The majority of this work will be thinning of plantations around the Longcliffe estate. This work will be carried out throughout the winter of 2010 and 2011.

07/09/2010 – William Gallimore started placement focusing on woodland management at Longcliffe Quarries

09/06/2010 – Board Meeting to discuss Carbon Trust Accreditation