Pyramidal orchids on the A340/A4 roundabout in West Berkshire. Picture: Simon Claybourn
The new Wild Verges partnership with West Berkshire Council aims to help native species simply by changing the times of year that roadside grass verges are cut back.
With over 1,700km of rural road verge under its stewardship, the council is keen to use it to make space for flowers and other plants which can support a huge network of insects, birds and mammals.
Wood melick growing on a roadside verge in West Berkshire. Picture: Simon Claybourn
Simon Claybourn, BBOWT West Berkshire Wild Verges Project Officer, said:
"We are so excited about this project, and the beauty of it lies in its simplicity. The teams who cut the grass won't have to do any extra work, and the roads will still be made safe for motorists - but by changing the times of year when the grass is cut, we can help millions of rare and unusual flowers to bloom.
"It's a tiny change that can make a huge difference - but in order to make that tiny change, we need an army of volunteers to help us collect as much information as possible about what plants are already growing out there on the roads."
The rural road verges managed by the council cover an estimated 520 hectares – the equivalent of almost 730 football pitches. The BBOWT team will spend the first year of the project launching a monitoring scheme across West Berkshire.
A map of rural road verges across West Berkshire. Picture: BBOWT/ West Berkshire Council/ Ordnance Survey
Volunteers will be trained to identify species such as oxeye daisies, bee orchids and yellow rattle, and will work alongside trust staff to carry out the surveys.
The next stage of the project will be to create a new, tailored cutting schedule which will allow more of the most important species to flower and to set seed.
Richard Somner, Executive Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside at West Berkshire Council, said:
“In partnership with BBOWT, we’re calling for volunteers to help turn roadsides across West Berkshire into a carnival of colourful flowers that will also benefit the environment.
“The wildflower verges are hugely popular. They’re not only beautiful to look at but offer nectar for a huge variety of insects, which in themselves provide food for birds and mammals, helping to sustain the whole ecosystem and leading to better-connected wild areas.”
If you’d like to volunteer to bring the Wildflower Verge project to life, BBOWT is particularly keen to work with communities and local interest groups across the district, which will also help to spread awareness of the importance of roadside verges as a valuable habitat.
To find out more about how to get involved, email volunteering@bbowt.org.uk
