Council Leaves Grass Uncut To Support Wildlife
Areas of parks and open spaces have remained unmown this summer
An uncut area in King George's Park Wandsworth
Following the No Mow May campaign earlier this year Wandsworth Council have continued to leave several parks and green spaces around the borough uncut so wildflowers can bloom.
Areas not been subject to the attentions of lawnmowers include Lower Putney Common Cemetery, Putney Vale Cemetery, Wandsworth Common, Tooting Common and grassland in King George’s Park.
During the summer these habitats have encouraged bees and other pollinators, and this winter they will provide nesting opportunities for invertebrates. The grass will be cut and collected in the autumn, which needs to be done in wildflower meadows to ensure they do not get too nutrient-rich and to prevent them from being smothered by coarse grasses.
Supporting pollinators is an important part of the council’s new biodiversity strategy, which sets out how the council will protect and enhance biodiversity.
Wandsworth is home to 24 different habitats, including heathland, lakes, woodlands, grassland and gardens. More than 3,149 different species live in the borough, including ‘priority species’ given extra protection such as bats, hedgehogs, swifts, pollinators and stag beetles.
Cabinet member for parks and open spaces Cllr Steffi Sutters said, “If you see areas that have not been mowed, please be assured that we haven’t just forgotten about them – it’s a deliberate policy to create rich, sustainable habitats for wildlife. The rest of our parks and open spaces will be tended just as carefully as before for local people to enjoy.”
Cabinet member for climate sustainability Cllr Kim Caddy said, “We published the biodiversity strategy earlier this year, and this is one example of how we are putting it into practice. Another will be encouraging local people to create private gardens that benefit wildlife, and working with local schools to teach young people about priority habitats and species in Wandsworth.
“It’s all part of our wider Wandsworth Environment and Sustainability Strategy which sets out how we will work with the community to tackle climate change.”
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August 13, 2021