Focus
Nearly all of our valuable wildflower meadow habitat has disappeared.
This project is a wide ranging project to improve grassland management across the public estate and introduce wildflowers where it is appropriate to do so.
We are implementing, new mapping and survey work, new methods of management and introducing wildflowers in appropriate urban areas.
Although our North East Wales Councils are working together for this project, approaches will differ across the region.
A large proportion of this work has been funded by Welsh Government grant funding
This map shows project action across all four Bionet Local Authorities.
Within our Nature Recovery Action Plan it is recommended that all projects follow the DECCA framework set out by Natural Resources Wales for Ecosystem Resilience, below is the DECCA statement for the Denbighshire Wildflower Project.
Diversity – the change to cut-and-collect management is reducing the soil fertility, and giving wildflowers a chance to compete against the grasses. Practical conservation work with schools, community groups and local residents, has included planting local-provenance wildflowers and seeds to create species rich meadows which support a wide range of wildlife.
Extent – so far, the project has created over 50 acres of wildflower meadow habitat across 120 sites throughout Denbighshire, particularly in urban and semi-urban locations.
Condition – Each site is managed in a way which helps to tackle the main threats facing our grassland habitats. Cut and collect management reduces soil fertility to create a more species rich sward, herbicide use is banned from site management, litter picks are carried out before cutting works, and only native species grown from local seeds are used in planting and habitat enhancement activities.
Connectivity – the sites are spread throughout Denbighshire, and act as stepping stones for wildlife to move through the landscape. Alongside our biodiversity verge cut, the project has created a network of connected grassland managed in more wildlife-friendly way.
Aspects of ecosystem resilience – as outlined above have all aspects of ecosystem resilience been considered to ensure this project helps deliver local nature recovery.
Conwy – julieanne.quinlan@conwy.gov.uk
Denbighshire – biodiversity@denbighshire.gov.uk
Flintshire – biodiversity@flintshire.gov.uk
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