Thirty grasslands to be transformed into wildflower meadows in Glasgow

50 hectares of land in Glasgow have been identified as sites that will be transformed into traditional meadows in a bid to encourage small mammals, birds, pollinators, invertebrates and a wide range of plant species. 

The initiative to extend the coverage of wildflower meadows is part of the city’s local Biodiversity Action Plan, which includes a specific plan to support pollinator species within Glasgow.

It is anticipated that the meadows will grow by 1 hectare each year, which will mean a further five large scale meadows to be created over the next four years and eight other sites to be enhanced with additional wildlife planting.

The way the land is managed will change, as wildflowers thrive when they are not regularly replenished with nutrients from cut grass.

According to the council, the contribution of voluntary groups such as The Conservation Volunteers and the RSPB has been crucial to the effort to create wildflower meadows.

Further work to enhance the city’s open spaces will also involve planting 250,000 bulbs and plug plants as well as wildflower seeds sown on a range of plots, including parks, road verges and steep slopes that are difficult to maintain.

Cllr Anna Richardson said: ‘We have a clear responsibility to nurture biodiversity in Glasgow and we can help to do that by creating spaces where a wide range of species can thrive and flourish.’

‘Wildflower meadows act as habitats for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which are a crucial component in the sustainability of our wider environment.’

‘Leaving land to grow more naturally has an additional benefit that allows us to redirect resources to our wider parks operation and helps ensure our parks remain one of our most loved features of the city.’

In related news, councils and other organisations have been asked to change the way they manage road verges, and roundabouts to benefit wildlife by The Wildlife Trusts, Butterfly Conservation and Natural England.

Photo Credit – Pixabay