Following successful grassland management pilots to improve biodiversity across the Gwent local authorities, this year the Nature Isn鈥檛 Neat approach to management is being coordinated to cover wider areas across Gwent, with the mission of making it 鈥榩ollinator friendly鈥� by allowing more wildflowers to grow in our green spaces.
The project which is to be delivered as part of the Gwent Green Grid Partnership, will engage with local communities across South-East Wales, raising awareness of pollinator decline and encouraging community ownership and empowerment to deliver actions that will help them recover.
Nature Isn鈥檛 Neat will establish a joined-up approach to the management of green spaces, also known as Green Infrastructure (GI), to create wildflower-rich pollinator habitats across 5 local authority areas (Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen) An operative鈥檚 Code of Action and training programme will be delivered, supporting effective pollinator management within the region.
The project will also contribute to the development of Pollinator Policies for local authorities and other relevant organisations to secure wide scale land enhancement for pollinators, creating resilient ecological networks.
Activities and events are planned for 2022 to promote wildflower and pollinator management, so look out for further updates on the website or follow us on Twitter @Natureisntneat and @Gwentgreengrid for all the latest news.
Blaenau Gwent Council鈥檚 Executive Member for the Environment, Cllr Joanna Wilkins says:
鈥淣ature Isn鈥檛 Neat compliments and continues all the hard work and progress made on boosting pollinator numbers within Blaenau Gwent and the Greater Gwent area. Promoting a collaborative way of working across Gwent allows for us to undertake a more connected approach to sustainable management of pollinator friendly habitats, in line with the knowledge that pollinators and other wildlife are not subject to the same boundaries and borders we follow as organisations and as humans.
鈥淧ollinator decline is concerning for all. Nature Isn鈥檛 Neat is an exciting opportunity to continue our hard work and make further steps towards helping to stop the decline of some of our most important species. Changes in mowing regimes, planting for pollinators and enhancing existing habitats are all important steps in promoting biodiversity within Gwent. Promoting nature recovery and ensuring pollinator friendly management practices are incorporated into our work as a Local Authority is vital. By utilising our Pollinator Action Plan and future Nature Recovery Action plans we can ensure these principles are at the core of our decision-making processes.鈥�
Monmouthshire County Council鈥檚 cabinet member for Climate Emergency said:
鈥淭his new year we are delighted to be able to build upon the progress made within each of the local authorities to enhance grassland biodiversity, including Nature Isn鈥檛 Neat across Monmouthshire. Pollinators are a vital part of ecosystems; most plants need pollen from another flower to complete their lifecycle and produce fruits and seeds.
Bees, butterflies and many more insects perform this free service, pollinating 88% of wild plants and 75% of global crop species. However, pollinators are in trouble. Since the 1980s, half of all pollinator species have become less widespread, and populations of bees and hoverflies have declined by 30%. While progress has been made, thanks to changes such as our selective mowing policy, there鈥檚 still work to be done and this year offers many fantastic opportunities to make a difference.鈥�
Gwent has many species of pollinators which are at risk, including the nationally rare Shrill Carder Bee, which has one of its strongholds on the Gwent Levels.
Changes to help keep flowering species alive for longer, not only provide food and habitats for the pollinators and other species, but also increases water absorption, provides Carbon sequestration, and improves the health of the soil. Research suggests that creating environments which support a wider range of wildlife, benefits people鈥檚 health and mental wellbeing, while encouraging them to slow down and enjoy watching flowers, insects and other wildlife.聽
Councillor Lisa Dymock, Monmouthshire鈥檚 cabinet member with responsibility for Green Infrastructure said:
鈥淲e are excited about the coordination of the Nature isn鈥檛 Neat approach through the Gwent Green Grid Partnership, as this strategy is crucial in response to the decline in biodiversity and challenges of climate change. Using the Nature isn鈥檛 Neat approach, the project aims to improve prospects for wildlife, providing crucial stepping stones for species to move between good habitat areas at a regional level.鈥�
This project is part of a series of programmes to be delivered under the Gwent Green Grid Partnership Project, which is supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Investing in Rural Areas and is funded by the Welsh Government鈥檚 Enabling of Natural Resources and Well-being Grant.
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