A survey is to be carried out on the plants and animals occupying 70km of roadside verges in Weardale.
Conservationist believe the verges could hold the key to preserving species from the dale's upland hay meadows.
Much of the wildlife is being wiped out by changing farming practices, but can still be found on roadside verges.
Keith Bowey of Durham Biodiversity Partnership, which is conducting the survey, said it would help to establish the best way of protecting the verges.
He said: "We want to produce some sort of grading system based on the value of the verges for wildlife and a map that shows which ones we have graded red, amber, green.
"Then the utilities carrying out works in the area will know that if it is graded red, they should stop and not touch the verge. If it is amber, it will mean they ought to be a bit more careful."
The survey is being funded by a £4,900 grant from Blue Circle Cement, which has a factory in Eastgate, near Stanhope.
The map should be completed by autumn
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