Slowly but surely, Field Lane in Badger Hill has seen its roadside verges transformed into wildflower meadows.
The work began in September 2020, making it the first road to have had its verges transformed thanks to funding from the Council’s Hull Road Ward Committee, and practical work by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and local residents.
The project has helped increase biodiversity whilst reducing the need and cost of regular cutting.
Cllr Michael Pavlovic, Hull Road Ward Committee, said:
“As a key part of the Ward committee’s aim to enhance green space in the area for wildlife, this Wild Flowering Project created a spectacular colourful display for people entering York during summer 2021 whilst also improving biodiversity and the environment.”
The mix of native wildflower and grass species sown in September 2020 included cowslips, knapweeds, devil’s-bit scabious, buttercups, birds-foot trefoil, lady’s bedstraw and self-heal.
Roadside verges are of great importance in mitigating the loss of wildflower meadows as they are often undisturbed and have nutrient-poor soil creating an ideal habitat for wild plants and in turn a huge number of insects and pollinators. Some 45% of native UK wildflowers can be found on roadside verges.
Jacob Lawson, Project Officer, The Conservation Volunteers, said: “It has been a privilege to be a part of the Council’s plans to improve biodiversity in the area, and I look forward to this area developing into a conservation highlight for Hull Road Ward to be proud of.”
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