A number of small green spaces across East Devon will remain uncut and left to flourish, allowing nature to thrive.

Information sign boards will soon be put up in the selected areas where vegetation and grass will be left to grow wild.

Allocating these green spaces for nature will have a number of benefits, including:

  • Providing habitat for insects and wildlife
  • Reducing CO2 emissions by not using mowers
  • Promoting sustainable landscapes
  • Encouraging native wildflowers (allowing vegetation to flower can provide up to 10x more nectar for bees and other pollinators!)
  • Improving biodiversity

East Devon District Council (EDDC) is inviting residents to keep a look out for longer vegetation in our green spaces and see what wildlife they can spot.

Residents are also being encouraged to take part in the ‘No Mow May’ campaign.

The council says that changing your mowing routine and allowing plants to flower can create enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators. You’re also more likely to spot a greater variety of flowers popping up in your garden.

At the end of the month, people can count the flowers on their lawn to take part in the conservation charity Plantlife’s Every Flower Counts survey.

Residents will then get their own personal nectar score, which tells them how many bees your garden is helping to support.

Councillor Denise Bickley, EDDC’s Assistant Portfolio Holder, Climate Action and Emergencies, said: “I'm delighted with this policy which will allow our pollinators to flourish.

Midweek Herald: Denise Bickley, chair of the Sidmouth Plastic WarriorsDenise Bickley, chair of the Sidmouth Plastic Warriors (Image: Denise Bickley)

“We all need to adapt to a new kind of beauty, which may not tick the 'neat' box but will allow nature to recover from the harsh treatment it has had for many years.

“Allowing some areas to grow longer, and reducing our need to kill weeds with chemicals, will allow for species enrichment and I look forward to the wonderful sounds of buzzing and the sight of beautiful native wildflowers during the summer months.

“If residents can be encouraged to leave some of their gardens to nature, to allow for spaces to connect in 'Nature Recovery Networks', we will all benefit."

Visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/take-part-in-the-no-mow-may-challenge for more information.