City communities join ‘No Mow May’ initiative

Sections of green space around the city are being left un-mown throughout May as part of a scheme which it’s hoped will encourage more wildlife and insects as well as create havens for bees and other pollinators.

Scores of local authorities across England and Wales are trialling the No Mow May idea and in Swansea it follows the council’s hugely-successful wild flower initiative launched which attracts hundreds of positive comments from residents and visitors alike.

It also follows on from the council’s Cut and Collect project which started in 2021 and also aims to encourage wildflowers and biodiversity by reducing the number cuts over the growing season. Parks which have seen sections given over to meadow include Singleton Park, Morriston Park, Ravenhill Park and Garden Village Recreation Ground.

Other areas included in No Mow May initiative have been chosen in collaboration with ward members. All sports pitches will be exempt from the scheme and will be cut as usual.

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The idea behind it is to create meadowland in parks and open spaces across the city. There are clear benefits for local flora and fauna and we’ll be assessing feedback from No Mow May as the scheme develops.

He added: “The wild flowers initiative is always a terrific success and apart from creating a blaze of colour in unexpected places we’re also expecting it to help promote bio-diversity as well.”

Swansea Council looks after scores of parks and open spaces in the city and says none of the areas chosen will go entirely uncut. It does mean that grass in the chosen sections will not be close-mown in May to create habitats for pollinators and other insect life.

The meadowland will be cut during the winter months which will help native wild flowers and grasses to develop in the following year.

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “Swansea is gaining a reputation for its commitment to sustainability, the environment and biodiversity. The No Mow May initiative sits well with the council’s policy commitment to a successful and sustainable Swansea by supporting nature recovery.

“But we shouldn’t forget either that there are economic benefits as well. Pollinating insects like bees and butterflies contribute millions of pounds annually to the crop market.

“No park will be given over entirely to meadow because it’s important that there is also space for local communities for play and other activities. But this is a bold and imaginative move that will support the environment and biodiversity and, ultimately, help tackle climate change.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)