Shortage of wild flowers

Britain’s bumblebees, honey bees, butterflies, mammals and birds are starving due to a shortage of wild flowers, seeds and insects.

Changes in agricultural techniques have meant that there are far fewer wildflowers and thus seeds and insects in the landscape and this has caused a dramatic decline in the populations of our native wildlife (as highlighted in the “State of Nature” report).

The most important thing that can be done to help conserve our biodiversity is to provide more flowers, seeds and insects for them to feed upon. This may involve restoring habitats to conditions that allow more wildflower meadows to grow.

It also involves allowing more plants in our parks, road verges and open spaces that can be used by bumblebees and butterflies for food.

Much of the land being managed by local authorities is unknowingly managed in a way that makes it unsuitable for wildlife. Many of the plants used in bedding displays cannot be used by bees or butterflies for food because they produce no pollen or nectar. Also, many of our areas covered by grass, which are not used for sport, are no good because they are cut too many times a year, which prevents the growth of any wildflowers, seeds and insects which would provide a source of food for our wildlife.

As councillors, we need to know that we have the support of the public for these vital changes to happen, which in time, will hopefully reverse the worrying decline in our native wildlife.

Thank you

Cllr Rob Curtis

Vale of Glamorgan Biodiversity Champion

Merthyr Dyfan Road, Barry,