Priory Wood, nestled near Stansted Airport’s bustling runway, has unexpectedly emerged as a vital refuge for the Oxlip, a delicate yellow flower endemic to select regions of East Anglia.
Recently, the National Trust has embarked on a significant conservation initiative, harvesting seeds from these airport-sited blossoms. The aim is to reintroduce them to Hatfield Forest, where the species has suffered a severe decline due to the browsing habits of deer.
James Rowland, Manager of Property Operations at Hatfield Forest, underscored the ecological significance of the Oxlip (Primula Elatior), noting its status as a diminutive yet enduring woodland perennial that has been increasingly rare in its purest form at Hatfield Forest since the 1980s, primarily due to deer and human encroachment.
“The discovery of pure Oxlips in a neighboring enclosed woodland, once part of Hatfield Forest, presents a rare opportunity for seed collection, propagation, and eventual reintroduction,” Rowland explained. “This initiative aims to establish a sustainable Oxlip population shielded from the threats of deer browsing and trampling, with the goal of restoring Oxlips as a common sight in Hatfield Forest in the foreseeable future.”
Stansted Airport has been proactive in nurturing biodiversity, establishing several conservation areas in recent years to safeguard diverse flora and fauna, including a thriving colony of great crested newts. Embracing a commitment to ‘zero net loss in biodiversity,’ the airport has adopted traditional forestry practices, such as utilizing Suffolk Punch Horses instead of machinery to manage woodlands.
Martin Churley, Head of Environment and Sustainability at Manchester Airport Group (MAG), emphasized the airport’s role in creating conducive habitats for the resurgence of Oxlips. “Once on the brink of extinction, these flowers are now flourishing in Priory Wood, providing a crucial boost to the National Trust’s conservation efforts at Hatfield Forest,” Churley remarked.
Stansted Airport’s efforts underscore a growing trend among airports to not only mitigate environmental impacts but also actively contribute to local biodiversity conservation, ensuring that delicate species like the Oxlip continue to thrive for generations to come.
