Bringing Colour to the Borough...of Poole! Poole Borough Council tell us how about their Meadows project
The Borough of Poole has had a lift of colour in recent years, with areas of flowers brightening daily commutes, bringing pleasure to many and providing a vital nectar source for our struggling bee populations.
Bees and the decline of other insects, such as butterflies, has been a hot topic among all, and have been featuring within the press regularly over the past couple of years. With the loss of significant areas of habitat having a huge impact on these species, they are in need of our help.
Photo 1:Bee on Cornflower, flower meadow at Hunger Hill, Poole. Photographer – Borough of Poole
It is not just the fact that we shouldn’t be allowing species to disappear forever on ‘our watch’; we need them. They provide us with much of the food that we eat as they are crucial in pollinating our crops. If present declines continue, it is not known when the ‘ecosystem services’ that they provide may be tipped too far. As such, these declines need to be reversed, and there is scope for all of us to play a part in turning the tide.
One of Poole Council’s priorities is to protect and improve our natural environment. This, along with being the responsible land manager of many amenity areas and road verges, puts the Borough in a prime position to help improve the situation. So, being in such a privileged position, the Borough has been acting on this lack of provision and has embarked on a number of initiatives. These initiatives are being rolled out across the entire town and compliment areas already managed as nature reserves.
The one that has really engaged both the Poole residents and visitors alike are the flower meadows. Producing stunning displays of bright colour, these flower meadows are specifically selected for longevity and nectar-richness, and in turn, provide an abundance of food throughout the summer months. As well as this, Poole Council have also been reviewing general grass cutting. Humans, by nature, are creatures of habit and traditionally there has been a preference for neat, mown verges and parks; historically being considered the best form of management.
Photo 2: Flower meadow at Gravel Hill, Poole. Photographer – Borough of Poole
In actuality many areas can be allowed to grow long; buffers around parks, central reservations and even some verges within housing estates. Any such areas create homes for wildlife, and with a little expansion they can also create corridors (connectivity) between the council’s nature reserves and other natural habitat, allowing wildlife to move into otherwise intensively managed areas.
Photo 3: Flower meadow in Turlin Moor, Poole. Photographer – Borough of Poole
The Borough of Poole has now been taking this exact approach for 4 years and it continues to review and further develop these changes in grounds maintenance. This has been met with mixed opinions, but to do nothing is simply not an option. There is plenty of scope to manage for all needs whilst retaining a Borough that is attractive, safe, clean, and a fun place to live, and this connection with nature only improves the quality of life for Poole’s residents.
Opportunities to see wildlife has been restricted for some in towns and cities, and so any creation of habitat, however small, creates fantastic chances to encounter nature; watching a bee collecting pollen or a butterfly nectaring on a flower will leave a positive and lasting impression upon many. Engaging with nature is so uplifting for people at any age and when you witness a mother and young child stop to admire the flowers and long grasses that have been allowed to grow; you know it is exactly the right thing to do.
Photo 4:Photographer – Borough of Poole
Humans have a connection with nature going back thousands of years. It has given so much and has a significant proven benefit for our health and well-being, and so we must do all we can to help it continue.
Many species may indeed be in trouble with loss of habitat and fragmentation, but there is hope; there are skilled, dedicated teams across local authorities, wildlife organisations and many willing volunteers who have already proven that success can be achieved. At a local level, Poole will continue to deliver its conservation programme, whilst looking to develop biodiversity through rethinking open space management where possible, and forming partnerships to ensure Poole is both a great place to live and a place where wildlife is always plentiful.
Photo 5: flower meadow in Ashley Cross, Poole. Photographer – Borough of Poole
To Find out more about Poole Borough Council and their projects, visit:
@BoroughofPoole
www.poole.gov.uk/
Photo 6: Flower meadow in Turlin Moor, Poole. Photographer – Borough of Poole