[Dan Norris at The Nuttery]
Good to see that Regional Mayor Dan Norris is joining those urging us not to mow our lawns during ‘No Mow May.’ It’s a way of helping to save the region’s bees, and fight back against the climate and ecological emergencies.
Longer grass and flourishing meadows help to feed essential but struggling pollinators – think butterflies, damselflies and bees – while becoming a haven for insects, birds and hedgehogs.
Leaving the lawnmower alone for a month will help build on the work of the Mayoral Combined Authority at a regional level in making the region the bee and pollinator capital of the country.
Dan Norris pointed to his £1 million Pollinator Fund transforming over 620,000 square metres of land (double the initial target he set) to better serve this region’s pollinator heroes by funding close to 10 bee-rilliant bee projects in the area – including those led by Transition Bath, and others.
He said: “Locking the mower away for a few extra weeks really is so important – not least for our bee buddies who’ve really struggled these last few years.
“Doing so will really help the work I’m doing at a regional level to support bees, damselflies and other pollinator superheroes. Think projects like the transformation of Smallcombe Vale’s The Nuttery into a pollinator’s haven. Or how about the planting of wildflower meadows, flowering trees and more at Bath City Farm, or 10 mini nature reserves in primaries and secondaries across the West – including right here in the city.
“Alongside my annual Bee Bold Awards, it shows that I am delivering on my commitment to make our West of England region the bee and pollinator capital of the whole country.
“But I know we can go further. So this year, I would encourage everyone in Bath to please give No Mow May a go.”
97% of flower meadows have been lost since the 1970s. The UK has lost 13 bee species in recent years with another 35 at risk because of climate change, habitat loss, and bee-killing pesticides.
No Mow May begins on 1 May.
