Cemeteries and churchyards
Churchyards and cemeteries are widespread and provide relatively undisturbed areas for wildlife. Many of these sites are very old and are at minimal risk of being lost to development. Consequently, they can provide a haven for wildlife, often containing mature trees, unimproved meadows, hedgerows and stone walls. Some churchyards were originally grasslands, enclosed either when the church was built or as a later extension. They range from manicured lawns and tended flower beds to neglected wildernesses. Churchyards are often refuges for meadow plants such as cowslips and woodland edge plants including primroses, wood anemone and lesser celandine. Typically, older churchyards have more native species, with mature trees such as yew and beech. The gravestones themselves support a huge variety of lichens. If managed in a way that is sympathetic to wildlife, cemeteries and churchyards can provide an important refuge for many species of butterflies, birds and small mammals (including bats) in both town and countryside.
In the Tees Valley, two churchyards have been designated as Local Nature Reserves. These are Linthorpe Cemetery in Middlesbrough and Spion Kop in Hartlepool.
