The Leeds Wild Spaces project, in partnership with Leeds City Council and Butterfly Conservation’s Yorkshire Branch, ran from March until August 2026 and aimed to support wildlife and connect residents to their local environment. The project worked with local people, council officers and community groups to design and develop seven new Wild Spaces at council-managed sites.
The first Wild Space in the city was a wildflower meadow at Roundhay Park created by the council’s Tropical World with the help of Butterfly Conservation’s Yorkshire Branch. Inspired by the success of that scheme, Butterfly Conservation and the council have embarked on a city-wide project to create new meadows.
In March 2026 we welcomed the new Leeds Wild Spaces Project Officer Josh Shaw. Josh has a background in conservation and works with a number of groups to increase youth representation in the nature sector and policy. Over the course of the project, Josh engaged with communities to share a passion for wildlife and to inspire action outside of the project sites.
The parks featured include
1. Hunslet Moor
2. Rein Park
3. Middleton Park
4. Temple Newsham
5. Woodhouse Moor
6. New Wortley
7. Roundhay
For further information please contact wildspaces@butterfly-conservation.org
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The project created 1.6hectares of new Wild Spaces in parks across the city, with a focus on wildflower meadow creation and enhancement.
250
250 free Wild Space packs were distributed for communities to make their own Wild Space.
20
20 free community events took place across the city to help residents connect with butterflies and moths.
100
Volunteering and training opportunities helped at least 100 people learn how to manage and create Wild Spaces.
Looking forward to planting in Rein Park and seeing the benefits for Butterflies!!
Friends of Rein Park
Hunslet Moor in Leeds is a huge area with a football pitch, large green space, MUGA and playground. We’re incredibly lucky to have this space on our doorstep, 10 minutes from Leeds city centre. Linking in with Wild Spaces is incredible, anything that encourages and increase the butterfly and moth population in our area, as well as educating the local children, is brilliant.
Friends of Hunslet Moor
“We found the evening informative and fun in equal measure and enjoyed exploring the meadow”
Event Participant
“It helped [their pupils] learn more deeply about science and helped bring some awe and wonder to science as well. The children were enthused after their sessions.”
Primary School
