Newport City Council has pledged its support for conservation charity Plantlife’s ‘No Mow May’ campaign.
The campaign encourages individuals, councils and stakeholders to help bees, butterflies and other wildlife by letting wild flowers grow on lawns and green spaces throughout May instead of mowing them.
Newport City Council has pledged its support in recognition of its status as a ‘Bee Friendly City’, as well as to enhance nature and take actions that help counter the impact of climate change.
The move to support the campaign follows on from successful trials of different measures of grass management and different wildflower seed mixes in designated ‘leave to grow’ pilot sites in the city.
These successful trials have enabled the council to adapt grass management methods and schedules, as well as increase capacity to implement sustainable changes to their work that benefit both nature and people.
As a result, regular mowing schedules across Newport will begin in June and grass cutting will still take place before then in a number of places in order to:
- Maintain visibility for road users
- Keep traffic signage and sight lines clear
- Maintain margins and access on footways and cycle routes
- Maintain parks, sports grounds, cemetery sites and access to play and recreational green spaces
Commenting, Newport City Council’s Deputy Leader, Councillor Roger Jeavons said: “I’m delighted to announce Newport’s support for No Mow May.
“From installing solar panels on council buildings to introducing new 20mph speed limits, we are taking many proactive steps as an authority to make Newport a greener, healthier place to live and our support for No Mow May is another of those steps.
“We recognise that we have a duty to help increase biodiversity and by supporting this campaign, we are demonstrating our commitment to making positive, lasting changes for the people and wildlife of our city.”
