Written question WQ86143

Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature is our initiative designed to restore and enhance nature where people live, work, and access public services. Through this we provide funding to local authorities to purchase ‘cut and collect’ equipment. This enables a change in mowing practices to expand the areas where they can enhance biodiversity through creating more meadow-like areas in our parks and other urban green spaces.

Welsh Government also funds the Local Nature Partnership (LNP). LNP coordinators engage with local communities and explain the need to act to combat the nature emergency. They provide biodiversity advice which can help empower communities to take action.

Through our road verge and amenity grassland web pages, we promote more biodiverse management of grassy areas and encourage the creation of more meadow-like areas. We stress the importance of discussing changes to mowing practices with local people and community groups. This can help give everyone a better understanding of how spaces are used and can help avoid unrealistic expectations and disappointments.

For more information, please see: https://gov.wales/road-verges-and-amenity-grasslands-supporting-wildlife-frequently-asked-questions-html

We have recently launched the ‘It’s for Them’ campaign, which aims to increase awareness of the public and those who manage grassland that changing mowing practices is beneficial for wildlife. For more information, please see: https://gov.wales/road-verges-and-amenity-grasslands-supporting-wildlife.