A new report with a roadmap for councils to safeguarding the UK’s biodiversity has been backed  by TV nature  presenter Chris Packham.

“Restoring A Green Britain: A report on reintroducing biodiversity to the UK’s green spaces” (1) published by campaign group Nature 2030 highlights six best practice recommendations on how local councils can increase biodiversity.

The report, backed by global charity Plantlife, has been launched at the same time as Steve Reed, Secretary of State at  the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced nature recovery as one of five core priorities. (2)

Plantlife, whose on the ground research is a central feature of the report, are experts in creating wildflower-rich road verges and green spaces, with their  award-winning “Managing Grassland Road Verges – A best practice guide”. (3)

Chris Packham said: “With every mow and every cut, we are destroying the essential habitats, food and carbon-capturing environments needed for our country to thrive. Councils are at the heart of change in our communities. However, they are facing this battle for biodiversity alone.

“The report by Nature 2030 gives councils the confidence and support they need to implement necessary change. Let’s create communities with wildflowers on every verge, birds in every hedgerow and hedgehogs in every park. Our community spaces can still be practical, accessible and people-friendly whilst boosting biodiversity, and this report shows us how.” (4)

Dominic Dyer, Chair of Nature 2030 said: “Biodiversity in Britain is in a state of decline. At Nature 2030, we have been working to target change from the ground up, offering support to those who need it the most.

“Nature 2030 are building a very convincing case for urban rewilding, with our new report effectively communicating the value of increasing biodiversity to the public by engaging local councillors, community groups and inspiring future generations to become urban nature champions.” (5)

Nature 2030’s 6 best-practice recommendations for councils:

• Reduce Mowing Frequency

• Collect the Cuttings

• Incorporate Different

• Structures of Grassland

• Green Waste Management

• Learn from Case Studies

• Effective Communication

The advice builds on detailed information in the Plantlife report which states that over 97% of meadows in Great Britian have been destroyed since the 1930s and that road verges are a vital refuge for pollinators and other wildlife.  It says that around 700 species of wild flower grow on road verges – nearly 45% of our total flora – but there has been a 20% drop in floral diversity due to poor management and nutrient pollution. (6)

Bibliography

1 Nature 2030 releases new ‘Restoring a Green Britain’ report (accessed August 2024) https://higginsonstrategy.com/nature-2030-releases-new-restoring-a-green-britain-report

2 Defra reveals Labour Government’s five key climate and environmental policy priorities (accessed August 2024) https://www.edie.net/defra-reveals-labour-governments-five-key-climate-and-environmental-policy-priorities/

3 Managing grassland road verges (accessed August 2024) https://www.plantlife.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Managing-grassland-road-verges_2020.pdf 

4 New report highlights local efforts to transform roadside verges into wildlife corridors (accessed August 2024) https://www.shropshirelive.com/features/2024/08/13/new-report-highlights-local-efforts-to-transform-roadside-verges-into-wildlife-corridors/

5 Nature 2030 releases new ‘Restoring a Green Britain’ report (accessed August 2024) https://higginsonstrategy.com/nature-2030-releases-new-restoring-a-green-britain-report/

6 Managing Grassland Verges (accessed August 2024) https://www.plantlife.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Managing-grassland-road-verges_2020.pdf