Expanding Painswick Valleys’ Dukes and Blues

This vital project will restore, connect & strengthen populations of two of the UK’s most threatened butterflies, the Large Blue & Duke of Burgundy. Both are listed as Species of Principal Importance under the NERC Act (2006) & were listed as Priority Species under the UK BAP. This project aims to: 1) Improve habitat for the target species’ through a programme of conservation work on 11 ecologically-linked sites in Painswick Valley, a key landscape for these butterflies, including scrub & ruderal control, & larval foodplant planting by contractors & volunteers. 2) Conduct habitat assessments to help guide management, determine the most suitable sites for butterfly reintroductions, and inform management advice to landowners. 3) Based on habitat assessments, rear & release Large Blue larvae onto project sites. 4) Monitor management results through habitat & species assessments, continued by volunteers after the funded period. 5) Work with local volunteer groups & offer training & talks to the local community.