No Mow May in Stratford-on-Avon District 2024

Stratford-on-Avon District Council will be taking part in No Mow May this year, following the new grounds maintenance contract and the Ecological Emergency Notice of Motion passed last week.

No Mow May is one of the actions which will preserve and enhance biodiversity within Stratford-on-Avon District. This aligns with our climate emergency declared in 2019 and with one of the District Council's Council Plan objectives:

• Increase and protect green spaces which positively affect nature recovery.

No Mow May has multiple positive impacts for biodiversity. Reduced mowing allows different plant species to grow, which provides food sources for pollinators and other animals. Longer grass also provides wildlife with shelter. No Mow May also reduces pollution, increases carbon sequestration, and reduces emissions by reducing fuel use.

It is a contractual requirement for No Mow May to be carried out on highway verges, on non-rural roads with a speed limit of 40mph or less. Some road junctions will continue to be cut to maintain sight lines and not restrict the visibility of road users.

No Mow May forms part of a wider agenda to enhance biodiversity which is being delivered by Stratford-on-Avon District Council. Other measures that have been delivered include tree planting, the creation of wildflower meadows on Council owned land and the declaration and ecological enhancement of a new Local Nature Reserve.

Cllr Susan Juned, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: "Recent State of Nature reports have emphasised the decline in abundance in wildlife since the 1970s. Addressing this is what this initiative aims to do."