Wildflower rich grassland
There are many benefits to areas of long grass and wildflower meadows, such as:
- Food and homes for essential pollinators including bees, butterflies and hoverflies
- Added aesthetic value to our greenspaces
- Enhanced biodiversity; increasing variety of plants and animals
- Reduced disruption through less maintenance
- Lower carbon footprint
The loss of biodiversity, especially pollinator species has been well publicised. We rely on a wide variety of wildlife, not just for pollinating plants that give us food, but also for waste recycling and even natural pest control. Our ‘Making space for pollinators report’ highlights various sites where changes to the way the site is managed, from what may have been mown, amenity grassland provide these benefits.
It can take a while for meadow sites to become established, and they may include plants such as dock and thistle. While many people do not want these plants to grow in their garden, in the wild they are important food sources for many insects and form part of the food chain.
We continue to work closely with communities to develop areas that make positive improvements to the local environment and our quality of life. This might include:
- Unmown grass
- Wildflower meadows
- Orchards
- Raised beds and allotments
If you have ideas for how your local greenspace could be improved for wildlife, please get in touch. If you would like to get involved with local sites and groups, have a look at our information on Environmental Volunteering.
- Wildflower rich grassland
- Collecting wildflower seeds