Pink vests and wild havens: Gateshead's citizen scientists transform a graveyard!

Our Volunteer and Community Manager, Stewart Turnbull, shares what our fabulous volunteers have been up to at St Mary's Heritage Centre, the starting point for the Tyne Derwent Way...

Forget dusty labs and white coats - in the bustling heart of urban Gateshead, a vibrant movement of citizen scientists is making a real difference, one bright pink high-vis vest at a time! We're talking about the incredible Tyne Derwent Way Green Team volunteers, who are proving that serious science can happen right on your doorstep, with not a test tube in sight.

On Saturday 19 July, our team gathered in the historic graveyard of St Mary's Heritage Centre. This wasn't a typical stroll among the headstones; it was a mission to conduct a vital species survey. For nearly two years, since the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust (TWBT) took over the lease allowing St Mary's to become part of the Tyne Derwent Way, there's been a clear vision: to transform the graveyard into a thriving wildlife haven, guided by the fabulous folks from Wild Intrigue.

If you've visited St Mary's recently, you'll have noticed a distinct shift - the grounds are embracing their wilder side! This year marks the exciting first steps of the grassland evolving into a wildflower meadow. This is more than just a pretty sight; it's a crucial act of ecological restoration. The UK has tragically lost over 97% of its meadows in just a century, making efforts like ours at St Mary's incredibly important for restoring these vital ecosystems and the incredible biodiversity they support.

And the results are already blossoming! We've been thrilled to record Northern Marsh Orchid and Small Skipper Butterflies at the site for the very first time. Our recent species survey further unveiled a truly impressive list of inhabitants, a testament to the power of creating the right conditions for nature to flourish:

Plants: Creeping buttercup, Common daisy, Selfheal, Broad-leaved Dock, Spear Thistle, Ribwort Plantain, Ragwort, Creeping Cinquefoil, Wild Strawberry, Perennial Sow Thistle, Yarrow, Autumn Hawkbit, English Stonecrop, Broad-leaved Willowherb, Wood Dock, Square-stemmed Willowherb, Harts Tongue Fern, Spleenwort sp.

Insects: Cinnabar Moth, Red Soldier Beetle, Seven-spot Ladybird.

Birds: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Kittiwake, Feral Pigeon, Herring Gull.

I'm sure you'll agree, that is quite an impressive list! To think that without the dedicated nature-positive work creating these conditions, many of these species simply wouldn't be here. And without a most enjoyable couple of hours spent recording them, their presence would remain a secret!

Looking ahead, the Tyne Derwent Way Green Team will be managing this burgeoning grassland using the traditional, low-impact method of scything. We're currently organising training for our volunteers, upskilling them in this ancient rural craft right here in a modern urban setting - how exciting is that?! In the meantime, we're carefully using hand-pushed mowers and clippers, ensuring minimal disturbance to the precious habitat we're nurturing.

While our primary goal is to see the graveyard thrive as a wildlife haven, we also want it to remain a welcoming space for visitors. We've thoughtfully carved a path through the longer grass, allowing everyone to explore the historic gravestones and enjoy the natural beauty of this evolving wildlife sanctuary. Don't forget, you can also join our free Graveyard Heritage Tours every Wednesday at 11am and 2pm to experience both the rich history and the burgeoning natural heritage of St Mary's.

Carrying out citizen science tasks like our species survey is just one of the many ways our incredible Green Team volunteers are making a tangible, positive impact on Gateshead's green spaces. We're always looking for new recruits to join our ranks! If you're keen to get involved, learn new skills, and contribute to a greener Gateshead, we'd absolutely love to hear from you.

To find out more or register your interest, please email me at: stewart.turnbull@nationaltrust.org.uk

Come join us and help make a difference - one pink high-vis vest at a time!