Calderdale Council is letting nature flourish this May by taking part in the annual conservation campaign to reduce the amount of grass cutting that takes place during the month.
No Mow May is coordinated by the conservation charity Plantlife and encourages garden owners and those managing green spaces not to mow grass during May. Plantlife’s research has shown that allowing the grass to grow for just one month can significantly increase the number of flowers in a lawn, providing valuable nectar and pollen for insects.
The Council is joining the initiative by boosting nature-friendly management of a number of sites across the borough, including areas of parkland, green space and grass verges.
These grasslands are not only essential sources of sustenance for pollinators like bees and butterflies, but also serve as crucial wildlife corridors, facilitating the movement of various birds, mammals and insects.
By reducing the amount of grass cutting, the Council aims to create havens for vulnerable wildlife, promoting biodiversity and combatting air pollution, while also locking away carbon below the ground.
The Council always considers the best maintenance approach for all its green spaces, with environmental benefits being a key factor. Less intensive maintenance is carried out where appropriate and there are already designated wildflower areas across the borough to increase the biodiversity of sites.
Some of the places where grasslands will be maintained with nature in mind include areas of Centre Vale Park in Todmorden, Shroggs Park outside Halifax, Wellholme Park in Brighouse and Stainland Recreation Ground, as well a smaller green spaces across the borough. In total, over 45 sites will be left to grow naturally though May.
Cllr. Scott Patient, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Active Travel and Housing at Calderdale Council, said:
“Calderdale’s natural beauty is at the heart of what makes our borough such an amazing place. By embracing No Mow May, we are demonstrating our commitment to climate action and sustainable land management, with nature-friendly green spaces supporting biodiversity by providing more areas where vulnerable wildlife and wildflowers can flourish.“Sites will be left for as long as possible, to continue with the ethos of No Mow May and there are already designated wildflower sites across the borough. Our teams will continue to be busy, supporting ground maintenance at our play areas, sporting pitches and other popular sites across the borough.
“Even the smallest grassy patches can deliver enormous gains for nature. Residents across the borough can also play their part in helping Calderdale’s nature to thrive by simply leaving their mowers in the shed throughout the month of May.”
For more information on No Mow May and how you can get involved, visit the Plantlife website at: www.plantlife.org.uk/campaigns/nomowmay/(external link)
Sustainable land management and promoting biodiversity are part of the Calderdale Climate Action Plan, which focuses on the steps that the whole Calderdale community can take between 2023 and 2026 to make progress towards the borough’s target of net zero carbon emissions by 2038.
For regular updates about Climate Action in Calderdale, sign up to the Zero Carbon Calderdale e-newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/calderdale/zerocarbon(external link)
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