‘Forget smart grass verges – let’s go wild and help wildlife thrive,’ says Grantham Journal editor Marie Bond

In her weekly comment piece, Journal editor Marie Bond suggests more can be done to help combat climate change and help wildlife. She writes:

A press release dropped into my inbox recently, from Rushcliffe Borough Council. In it, the council was announcing its plans to once again leave a number of ‘no mow’ areas across its patch to “act as summer pollinator sites and encourage wildlife and habitats to thrive even further”.

Now in its third year, more than 30 areas have been selected across the borough to be avoided by the council’s strimmer-brandishing operatives. Signs are put up to promote the initiative and to explain to residents and passers-by why the areas are not being mown.

What a wonderful idea.

Since the release landed in my emails, the South Kesteven District Council cabinet has been confirmed, with two Green Party councillors taking the portfolio for environment and waste – Couns Rhys Baker and Patsy Ellis. This was exciting news, to me at least. There is much room for improvement in the Grantham area when it comes to biodiversity, promoting recycling and giving people the tools to do their bit.

Surely our streets and parks should feature multi-compartment bins where people can dispose of recyclable items? Why can’t Grantham have ‘no mow’ areas to encourage wildlife and insects?

The bottom line is we need to do more, and we need local authorities to do their bit, too.

I’d hope initiatives like the ‘no mow’ scheme would be well supported in the Grantham area. Please take part in the poll below to say whether or not you think ‘no mow’ areas would be good for Grantham.

There will, inevitably, be those who feel every blade of grass should be short and every weed sprayed with chemicals because they view that to be nice and tidy.

I would argue that’s a little selfish, and the need to look after pollinators and other wildlife is far, far more important. I’d also argue that an area with wildflowers is beautiful, far more so than a patch of green.

Case in point, the urban garden in Union Street, cared for by the team at the Nobody Inn pub opposite. Absolutely gorgeous, well done to them.

On the subject of the environment and doing our bit to tackle climate change, it would be wonderful to hear from readers who have tips.

A friend mentioned a few weeks ago how she saves the water she uses to cook vegetables to water the flowers in her garden. It had never occurred to me, so I was grateful for the tip and that’s what I now do, too.

It would be great to share your tips and ideas with Journal readers – there’s potential for a regular feature on the subject.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please write to me at Grantham Journal, 18 Watergate, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 6PR or email marie.bond@granthamjournal.co.uk