Westminster City Council is supporting Plantlife’s “No Mow May” campaign. The annual campaign calls for gardens and green spaces to not be mowed for an entire month, providing a space for nature to thrive in the height of Spring.
Since the 1970s the UK has lost more than 97 per cent of its wildflower meadows which are vital for food pollinators like butterflies and bees. By not mowing grass on our housing estates and a selection of parks during May, the council will allow plant life to grow during this crucial period to feed pollinators throughout the summer months.
Despite being an inner London borough, an estimated 24 per cent of the City of Westminster is made up of parks and green spaces - an area of more than 500 hectares. The city also boasts rich and diverse wildlife, with over 600 different kinds of flora and fauna recorded in Westminster. St John’s Wood even has a formal designation as a Local Nature Reserve under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949.
In recent years the council has won multiple Green Flag awards for the upkeep of it parks and open spaces, which provide an oasis of calm and tranquillity for residents and visitors to escape the noise and crowds of a busy city.
Councillor Ryan Jude, Deputy Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said:
“We’re proud to support the No Mow May campaign which will have immense benefits for plant and animal life in our city. Around one quarter of Westminster is made up of parks and green spaces which provide an essential escape from the bustle of central London, allowing our residents to relax and keep active.
“The council is committed to protecting and enhancing our precious green spaces in Westminster, and by not mowing our lawns during May we can encourage nature to thrive and increase biodiversity in our city.”
Selected areas:
- All housing estates
- Queens Park Gardens– all areas
- Paddington Green – all areas
- St Johns Wood HFR – all areas
- Paddington Recreation Ground – selected areas
- St Georges Square – selected areas
- Westbourne Green Open Space - canal side
- Ministry Of Defence grounds - along Embankment side
Published: 28 April 2023