CHI worked with the Leicestershire and Rutland Federation of Womens' Institutes to submit a Heritage Lottery Fund ( HLF) application and develop the subsequent project for a new wild flower survey for 2007. This was developed with support of local conservation agencies and targeted twelve species that are used as good indicators of wildlife habitats. The data gathered is being added to records at Holly Hayes and fed into strategies such as the local Biodiversity Habitat Action Plans.

The Wild Flower project surveyed a number of more common wild flowers to assess their current distribution. These included springtime flowers such as primroses and bluebells, as well as flowers that bloomed later in the year, such as meadow sweet and ragged robin. CHI advised on the survey publication pack, forms and recording formats. Most importantly CHI assisted with fundraising for various stages, and the WIs' submission to HLF, Ken Chamberlain Awards, and Better Communities for developing their programme.

The survey was not just open to W.I members, but other community groups and schools. Heritage Wardens were also involved in the project, supporting local WI’s in their parishes.

CHI also:

The WI Wild flower project brought an extra £55,000 to conservation and community development in the two counties. The project involved over 570 individuals, volunteering nearly 5500 hours. Nineteen countryside books were completed with over 6668 records of the twelve targeted species, and over 600 additional records of other species. The WI also worked with Market Bosworth Natural History Society to survey the Bosworth Battlefield Line which produced a further 1733 records submitted to the Leicestershire Environmental Records Centre.