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How unmown verges are encouraging wildlife

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date10 August 2022
Publication titleLoughborough Echo
The scheme, run by Leicestershire County Council and wildlife charity NatureSpot, aims to improve biodiversity and encourage wildlife, by leaving wildflowers to flourish on roadside verges

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More than 50 parishes have signed up to the scheme, which involves volunteers and parishes restoring the verges, including the sowing of native wildflower seeds and learning about the wildlife in these important habitats.

The initiative forms part of the council's wider work to tackle climate change, including fresh proposals to make Leicestershire a net zero carbon county by 2045.

Under the scheme, verges are not mown between April and August, which allows time for the wildflowers and grasses to reach maturity and provide species with food and habitat. The county now has its highest number of designated wildflower verges - more than 60, which is more than the size of two standard football pitches.

Last year, NatureSpot recorded more than 330 species in 26 wildlife groups, including wildflowers, grasses and insects.

There are plans for more community engagement this year, ncluding verge "open days", with experts inviting communities to learn how to identify and survey typical examples of species. A number of workshops are also planned.

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and green agenda, said: "We're playing our part in replacing the lost wildflower meadows of...

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