The churchyard at St Mary's, Kirkburn, has been designated a Local Wildlife Site by East Riding County Council. It is believed that Kirkburn is the first East Riding Churchyard to achieve this status.

Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs), or Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) as they used to be known are areas of valuable semi-natural or natural habitats such as ancient wood lands, species rich grasslands and heathland. Many LWSs provide a refuge for rare or threatened plants or animals, and seek to ensure the conservation, maintenance and enhancement of species, habitats, and geological features of significant nature conservation value.

Kirkburn churchyard has been the subject of a wildflower grassland restoration and creation project by the local community. The churchyard supports remnants of native wildflower grassland including selfheal, oxeye daisy, and pyramidal orchid. The existing flora has been enhanced by significant introductions of local hay, and plants and seeds from traditional meadows.

Congratulations to St Mary's, Kirkburn!