Dudmaston Estate Adapting to Climate Change During Hot, Dry Weather

Dudmaston Estate, a National Trust property near Bridgnorth in Shropshire, England, is making big changes to deal with hot and dry weather. Workers and volunteers at the site look after a large hall, woodlands, gardens, and parkland. Because of long stretches of dry weather and the growing effects of climate change, the team has had to rethink how they protect the land and the people who work on it.

One of the biggest worries for staff is the risk of wildfires. Senior visitor experience officer Abi Leyland-Richardson said rangers have been working hard to keep the landscape safe during dry spells. A fire on Morfe Lane, about six miles from the estate, burned through roughly 20 acres of land and started by accident. Leyland-Richardson said she watched the smoke nervously because the flames were getting close to Dudmaston's own woodland.

Staff are asking visitors to help keep the estate safe by following a few simple rules. People are urged not to bring barbecues onto the grounds. Even a small piece of foil litter can start a fire in very dry conditions, so visitors are also asked to take all their rubbish home. 'We've got lots of species we need to protect,' Leyland-Richardson explained. Keeping the wildlife and trees safe depends on everyone doing their part.

The dry weather is also changing how the gardens look and what gets planted there. Many of the flowers at Dudmaston are herbaceous perennials, which means they come back each year, but they are struggling without enough rain. The team is now thinking about planting tougher plants that can handle dry conditions better, such as lavender. These kinds of plants need less water and are more likely to survive long hot summers.

The heat has also affected how the estate looks after its staff and volunteers. On one day when the temperature reached 36 degrees Celsius, workers were out in an open meadow with very little shade. The estate had to cancel some outdoor walks, hand out extra water, and make sure everyone had enough rest breaks. 'We had to make sure we put our volunteers and staff safety first,' said Leyland-Richardson. She added that climate change is something the whole team at Dudmaston must keep thinking about going forward.