Nature and Wildlife

Context

Nottingham City Council has committed to creating a Greener, Healthier, Happier Nottingham, recognising that high-quality green spaces are essential for:

• Tackling climate change and building resilience
• Supporting biodiversity and nature recovery
• Improving health and wellbeing
• Creating attractive, inclusive places for residents

The strategy aims to deliver nature-rich, connected green spaces across the city, helping wildlife thrive while ensuring all residents have access to good quality environments. The move to a broader nature-friendly management approach is a key part of delivering this ambition.

What is changing?

Since 2014, ‘Bee Friendly Nottingham’ has helped improve habitats for pollinators by planting wildflowers and reducing mowing. We are now evolving this approach to a more general embedded nature-friendly approach which:

• Supports all wildlife, not just bees
• Uses up-to-date scientific evidence and industry best practice
• Takes a more targeted and strategic approach to land management
• Considers efficiencies and safety in management practice

Why is the change needed?

The Bee Friendly campaign has enjoyed mixed success and some challenges have emerged:

• Public perception: Long grass can look untidy, especially later in the summer
• Maintenance issues: Confusion around mowing has led to inconsistencies
• Limited biodiversity gains: Some areas have become dominated by coarse grass or weeds, reducing wildflower diversity

To deliver the aims of the Greener, Healthier, Happier strategy, we need an approach that is more effective, better managed, and works for both people and nature.

What will be different?

We are moving away from a “one size fits all” approach to a range of habitat types, selected for each location:

• Wildflower meadows – for larger parks and open spaces
• Species-rich lawns – short grass that still supports flowers
• Clover lawns – tidy, low-growing, ideal for roadsides and verges
• Bulb planting – for shaded areas and tree lines

This approach will:

• Increase biodiversity and habitat quality
• Improve how spaces look and feel for residents
• Support climate resilience and nature recovery
• Consider sustainable maintenance costs

How will it work?

We are:

• Mapping all council green spaces to identify the best management approach in specific locations
• Applying the right habitat in the right place
• Improving maintenance clarity for operational teams
• Preparing sites properly (e.g. reseeding in autumn) to ensure success

This supports the wider strategy aim of creating well-managed, nature-rich, and connected green infrastructure across the city.

What does “nature friendly” mean?

Nature-friendly management approaches support:

• A wide range of plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife
• Stronger, more resilient ecosystems
• Green spaces that work for both people and nature

Why are we changing from Bee Friendly Nottingham to a more nature-friendly approach?

The Bee Friendly campaign has been successful in raising awareness and improving habitats for pollinators. However, we now have a better understanding of how to manage green spaces to benefit a wider range of wildlife, not just bees. In addition, Nottingham City Council has adopted Greener, Healthier, Happier Nottingham which reflects a more modern, evidence-based approach.

Is this a step backwards?

No. This is an evolution of the project; we are building on what worked well and improving areas that were less effective to deliver better outcomes for nature and people.

Does this mean fewer wildflowers?

No. In fact, this approach will increase the number and quality of wildflower areas in specific locations. By choosing the right seed mix and managing sites properly that are easier to access and maintain, we will support more diverse and longer-lasting habitats.

It is also important to note that ‘Nature Friendly’ encompasses all biodiversity. Sometimes, this doesn’t look like wildflower meadows and instead can be things like log piles, dead-hedging, less intense hedgerow management, or leaving grass to grow longer under hedges to allow safer commuting routes for hedgehogs.

Why won’t all areas be left to grow long anymore?

Leaving grass to grow long does not always produce the best results. Without the right soil conditions and management, areas can become dominated by coarse grass or weeds, which reduces biodiversity and look unkempt.

The new approach ensures each space is managed in the most effective way for wildlife, whilst also considering that some areas must be managed for people e.g., keeping sightlines clear for safety when driving or crossing roads and on some occasions disproportionate highway maintenance costs.  

Why did some Bee Friendly areas look untidy?

Long grass can look dry or messy later in the year, and litter can become trapped.
While these areas still have ecological value, we recognise that appearance matters to residents. Our new approach aims to balance biodiversity with an intentional ‘cared-for’ aesthetic.  

Will grass be cut more often again?

Not necessarily. Some areas may be cut less frequently. However, mowing will now be intentional, planned and targeted, depending on the type of habitat.

This helps:

• Improve biodiversity
• Maintain a tidy appearance
• Reduce unnecessary work and maintenance costs

What types of planting will be used?

Different options will be used depending on the site, including:

• Wildflower meadows
• Species-rich lawns
• Clover lawns
• Bulb planting

This ensures the right habitat is in the right place.

How will this benefit wildlife?

Greener Healthier Happier Nottingham supports:

• A wider range of plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife
• Healthier ecosystems that are more resilient to climate change
• Better connections between habitats across the city

Will this save money?

In some cases, but in others not.  Using the right planting and mowing approach can reduce maintenance costs over time, particularly in large or difficult-to-manage areas. However initial set up costs for different pollinator friendly mixes at certain locations may cost more initially.  The new approach will be given budget consideration. 

What about road safety?

Safety is a key consideration. Low-growing planting, such as clover lawns, will be used in areas where clear visibility is important, such as roadsides and junctions whilst still maintaining a nature positive outcome.

Will signage change?

Bee Friendly signs will be removed or replaced. 

What will residents notice?

Residents may see:

• A greater variety of planting styles across the city
• More colourful and better-managed wildflower areas
• Some changes to how often grass is cut
• Planting may be in stone mulch rather than soil/bark

Overall, spaces should look more intentional, diverse, and cared for.

Wildflower areas will be focused in locations best suited to maximise ecological benefit. As nature friendly management is introduced, there may appear to be fewer ‘meadow’ areas, as the longer grass of the Bee Friendly approach was a visible indicator of wildlife management.

This reflects a shift rather than a reduction. Areas previously under ‘relaxed mowing’ will transition to lower-growing clover or flower-rich lawns, while longer grass meadows are concentrated where they can deliver the greatest biodiversity value.

When will these changes happen?

Changes will be phased:

• Mapping and planning is underway
• Site preparation and reseeding will begin in autumn
• Improvements will continue over time

How can residents support this?

Residents can help by:

• Understanding why different areas are managed differently
• Supporting reduced mowing where appropriate
• Helping keep green spaces free of litter

Key takeaway

Greener, Healthier, Happier is about doing more for nature and people in a smarter more intentional way, while keeping Nottingham’s green spaces welcoming, well-managed and biodiverse for everyone.

Nottingham’s Open Space Network (OSN) comprises approximately 2054 hectares of the city and includes a range of typologies including agricultural land, allotments and community gardens, amenity space, cemeteries, institutional land such as school playing fields, outdoor sports facilities, parks and gardens, and children’s playgrounds, as well as those areas specifically identified as providing natural and semi-natural habitat (which comprises approx. 455 hectares of the total).

The OSN encompasses both publicly accessible space for people to be outdoors, exercise, travel, play, relax and get closer to nature, as well as incidental spaces that form important linkages, corridors or steppingstones for wildlife.

Nottingham has wildlife sites specifically designated for their nature conservation value, designations that help to protect some of our most highly valued and significant natural spaces and habitats. Nottingham also plays host to lots of protected species and interesting animals including several species of bat, badgers, water voles, reptiles, amphibians and birds, as well as a diverse assemblage of invertebrates.

Within the city boundary, there are:

• More than 60 biological and 18 geological Local Wildlife Sites (LWS)
• 14 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) with more on the way
• 3 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

Nottingham City Council is a member of the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group. A local strategic group that works together to protect and enhance wildlife locally and deliver the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Plan.

You can learn more about BAG projects and local Biodiversity by visiting the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group Website.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are a new England-wide system of spatial strategies established by the Environment Act 2021. They must be evidence-based, locally-led and collaborative. Nottingham City Council are currently working closely with Nottinghamshire County Council, who are the DEFRA appointed Responsible Authority, to produce the LNRS for Nottinghamshire and Nottingham.

For more information about the strategy, to check on its progress and for contact details for the LNRS Co-ordinator follow this link:

• Local Nature Recovery Strategy | Nottinghamshire County Council

You can also support biodiversity with some small or simple changes to what you plant or how you manage your garden or outdoor space.

For example:

• Allow your lawn to grow and flower for longer between cuts in spring and summer, giving plants such as clover time to bloom. Why not add clover seed when you next reseed your lawn? It creates a drought-tolerant, wildlife-friendly space that provides valuable food for pollinators.
• Avoid over-tidying in autumn and winter. Dead stems, hollow plants and leaf piles provide valuable shelter for insects, giving many species a safe place to overwinter.
• Plant a variety of wildlife-friendly flowers. Choose species with both open and tube-shaped blooms, and aim for flowers throughout the year to provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen. Avoid overly frilly varieties, which can be difficult for pollinators to access.
• Give ivy a chance to flower. Ivy is one of the last important nectar sources for bees in autumn. Consider delaying cutting it back or leaving some uncut for a few years, so birds can benefit from its berries too.
• Let the dandelions bloom! Often seen as weeds, dandelions are a vital early spring nectar source for queen bees emerging from hibernation and searching for food.

This report covers our actions and considerations for biodiversity. It is our statutory duty to publish a biodiversity report every 5 years, to demonstrate how we are complying with our biodiversity duty as part of The Environment Act 2021. The Environment Act 2021 introduced a legal requirement for all public authorities to consider and implement biodiversity protection and enhancement as part of their functions. Authorities must:

1. Consider actions they can take to conserve and enhance biodiversity
2. Agree policies and objectives based on that consideration
3. Act to deliver those objectives

Biodiversity Duty Reporting 2025

The City Council manages open spaces for the benefit of people and wildlife, and to maximise the diversity and quality of habitats that these spaces provide. 

If you would like to get involved with helping to maintain your local greenspace, wildlife site or nature reserve, you can find out more information by visiting the Nottingham Green Guardians website to look for volunteering opportunities with us or our partners.

• Volunteers (nottinghamgreenguardians.co.uk)

Keep up-to-date on our Facebook Page

• Visit: Parks and Open Spaces Facebook Page