Carricknakielt Picnic Area, on the Glenshane Road, 2 miles from Maghera, is being managed by Mid Ulster District Council to enable wildflowers to become established. Three years ago, the site had a good ‘showing’ of Lady’s-smock (cuckooflower), and with interest from members of the public, the council initiated a management program which would increase the biodiversity value of the site, and enhance the area for visitors. A section of the site was retained unmown, allowing a range of wildflowers to develop. The resultant increase in invertebrates using the site was noticeable, with … [Read more...] about Carricknakielt Picnic Area
Coleraine’s Britain in Bloom Entry
The Britain in Bloom judges visited Coleraine town today, 11th August 2016, and took in all the colourful floral displays, community partnerships, and biodiversity initiatives including visiting Somerset Riverside Park which is part of the Don’t Mow Let It Grow project. … [Read more...] about Coleraine’s Britain in Bloom Entry
Sowing the Seeds of Creativity
Create and Design a ‘Don’t Mow, Let It Grow’ Grass Head ‘Don’t Mow, Let It Grow’ want to encourage local children to experience the thrill of seeing something grow from seed, along with the enjoyment of creating their own ‘Grass Head’ character for a fun competition.“Don’t Mow, Let It Grow” is a three year pilot funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Landfill Communities Fund, working with Transport NI and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.The “Don’t Mow, Let It Grow” message is simple. Small changes in management of grasslands, give large benefits to biodiversity and ecosystem … [Read more...] about Sowing the Seeds of Creativity
Beautiful Garvagh Verge Ruined
The Don’t Mow Let It Grow project team are saddened by the destruction of the beautiful verge at Garvagh.This verge has been successfully managed since 2013 in consultation with the local community for its wildflowers and insects, and has developed year on year with increased numbers of wildflowers including orchids and pollinator such as bumblebees and butterflies .This was not cut by Transport NI or the Council who are both partners in the Don’t Mow, Let It Grow project. In fact this is the second time this year that it has been cut by an unknown individual/s and on this occasion … [Read more...] about Beautiful Garvagh Verge Ruined
Portaleevey Car Park, Ballycastle
Within this view point and car park is a steep bank that links to the road verge, which is rich in hare bells, scabious, and knapweed. … [Read more...] about Portaleevey Car Park, Ballycastle
Coolmaragh Car Park, Ballycastle
This is a very small car park with a host of orchids, sedges and fine grasses. … [Read more...] about Coolmaragh Car Park, Ballycastle
Joey Dunlop Centre
This area of the playing fields has been intensively cut from many years so we are hoping that some of the meadow flowers are still in the seedback and will return to this grassland. Flowers such as red clover, cuckoo flower, buttercups, orchids, fine grasses and sedges. … [Read more...] about Joey Dunlop Centre
Riverside Park, Ballymoney
This park is in the centre of Ballymoney and has a few natural wet areas, four of these areas are going to be managed as wet meadows, we are hoping to see cuckoo flower, ragged robin, buttercups and sedges. A fifth area, which is dryer is excellent for butterlies and bumblees and has flowers such as knapweed. … [Read more...] about Riverside Park, Ballymoney
Ballykelly Playing Field
This is a small verge at the edge of the playing field, we are hoping that some wildflowers remain in the seedbank such as vetches and buttercups … [Read more...] about Ballykelly Playing Field
Ballykelly Rd
This is a small sloped area at the base of a native hedgerow that has been intensively cut, we are hoping that some of the hedgerow species might return such as stitchwort, vetches and cow parsley. … [Read more...] about Ballykelly Rd
