After a short hill climb to an outstanding view across Dundry Slopes, we arrive at our stunning nature haven for the day.

Our group comprises of around eight WildCATS, three young volunteers (14 – 24 year olds) and three staff members. What stands out about the WildCATS straight away is their eagerness for action, it’s not just in the name. Even during the safety briefing, they are itching to get going, a few individuals spot the scythes we will be using for the day and begin to attach the sharp blade to the wooden arm known as a Snath.

It is clear, these are people who know what they are doing, caretakers of the land who thrive on motion, progress and purpose. It creates an energy of excitement, big things are about to happen. Within minutes nearly every WildCAT is talking to someone new who has joined their session today and the atmosphere is supportive. Throughout the day, other people often checked in with me on my wellbeing and asked how I was getting on which made it easy to feel part of the team.

In July, the WildCATS are just beginning their grassland management season in which they use a very traditional tool, the scythe, to maintain wildflower diversity in meadows across the city. This work requires a finessed technique, fitness, determination and team spirit. As a newbie to this practice , it became clear many of the WildCATS love to teach and this was a welcomed offer. It was a healthy challenge for me to do as instructed, to swing the scythe trying to keeping the blade down and concentrating on using the power from my arms to control the movement. Here is what I looked like just trying to hold it!

It also struck me as a beautiful example of how ancient knowledge continues to be passed down through generations an important tenet of community and culture. There was a strong sense of encouragement for people of all ages to be united in caretaking the land we are so lucky to live on.

Another perk of spending time with the WildCATS is the amazing wildlife that can be found on these urban sites. There really are a lot more creatures living here than you may first expect. In between scything everyone would pass information on about what snakes, butterflies birds and more they have seen or would love to see. We were lucky enough to spot a buzzard overhead!

In a matter of hours we also saw seven different types of butterfly, as well as grasshoppers, crickets, soldier beetles and dragonflies. This was such a treat and I am excited to explore other sites to see what other animals are benefitting from the WildCATS management of the land! Ainsley, our My Wild City Conservation Officer, informed me that different species of flora and fauna favour slightly different habitats. The difference in these habitats can seem small but have large impacts, for example, some species favour long blades of grass over short blades. This type of habitat variety is something scything provides naturally. Unlike mechanical methods of grassland management, it also provides all of the animals living there some time to migrate to another part of the site!

Overall, the beautifully sunny day was an experience to be treasured and as the WildCATS meet regularly every Tuesday it is an opportunity that I shall take up again!

Contact us today if you'd like to join the WildCATs