Westminster Council Participates in #NoMowMay

A front garden growing wild in Westminster Council during May and June 2023

It’s been over a month since the lawns have been mowed, hedges have been trimmed, and flowers and large plants have been tamed across esates in Westminster Council here in London. This is the first year that the council has supported Plantlife’s No Mow May Campaign. Residents (like myself) around the borough are thrilled!

According to the council, roughly 24%, or over 500 hectars, of the city of Westminster is made up of parks and green spaces. The UK has lost more than 97% of its wildflower medows since the 1970s, so initiatives like these are vital for pollinators around the city.

In an update posted last week, the council confirms the program will continue into the summer - wonderful news! Cllr Ryan Jude, Deputy Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Biodiversity commented:

“It’s been brilliant to support Plantlife’s campaign for the first ever time this year, and to hear such positive feedback from residents. I am pleased that we will now be prolonging the biodiversity gains into June, and working with partners and residents to find a longer term solution across Westminster. This is part of our wider agenda to improve the environment, encourage nature to thrive and tackle pollution in the city.”

For more information, check out Plantlife’s webpage. Supporting work helping pollinators is something CHEC has been passionate about for a long time, CHEC out our previous project supporting pollinators.

Is your local council or government running a similar initiative? We’d love to hear how other places are rewilding spaces and/or helping pollinators!