What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the full variety of life on Earth. It is all the species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. All these animals, plants and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.
Why is biodiversity important?
We rely on these natural systems to provide us with everything we need – oxygen, clean water, food, medicine, shelter, and protection from the impact of climate change, like extreme weather events.
The biodiversity of Redcar and Cleveland is a tremendous asset. It gives the area its special character, supports farming, tourism and other economic opportunities and provides a wonderful environment for peoples’ mental and physical wellbeing.
Why do we need a biodiversity strategy?
The natural world is in decline and the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries on Earth.
We need to act now to protect, conserve and enhance biodiversity in our borough, working with nature to benefit our climate and the health and wellbeing of all who live, visit and work in our borough.
The Council’s corporate plan has made looking after our environment a priority.
Our biodiversity action plan will build on steps that we have already taken and set out the actions we will take to support nature recovery.
You can find our biodiversity strategy available to download and view below:
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Document
What are we doing to support biodiversity?
We’ve already taken steps to halt decline and support recovery, including:
- Restoring and supporting natural processes in our woodlands and open spaces
- Reducing the use of chemicals for vegetation management
- An annual tree planting programme
- Planting spring bulbs
- Considering how we can better manage our open spaces to support nature
- Supporting No Mow May
No Mow May
In May, you might notice longer grass in selected areas in some of the open and green spaces we maintain in the borough.
We’ve lost approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows since the 1930s and with them, vital food needed by pollinators, like bees and butterflies.
Areas such as the Stray in Marske and King George V playing field in Guisborough have been selected to take part in No Mow May, a national campaign to encourage more wildlife, bees, and butterflies.
The spaces have been carefully chosen to provide some space for the grass to grow. Grass cutting will still take place as normal throughout the borough on roadside verges, housing estates, cemeteries, and playgrounds.
Road verges will be regularly cut to maintain clear lines of visibility and safe pullover zones, this is particularly crucial at junctions and on tight bends where visibility is low.
Letting areas grow in May allows a greater variety of wildflowers and will lead to more colour and beauty.
Longer grass and wildflowers provide shelter and food for insects, birds, and small mammals, helping them to thrive. Even small acts like these can make a difference in our aim to tackle the climate and ecological challenges we face.
If you see one of our No Mow May areas, why not see if you can spot some wildflowers? We’d love to see your photos from around the borough, tag us on social media using #GreenerFuture.