As the successful environmental project Don’t Mow, Let It Grow continues to vastly improve biodiversity in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, there is a need to understand the public’s perception of the scheme.
A short survey can be completed online, which aims to build a picture of what the project is currently achieving. It is a chance for the public to contribute their thoughts and opinions which will help develop the project further and promote the importance of it.
The Public Perception Survey can be found at dontmowletitgrow.com/public-perception-survey/
Don’t Mow, Let It Grow is now half way through the second year of the three year initiative and has made a significant environmental difference to the area, including the recent discovery of an incredibly rare Bee Orchid on one of the project sites.
Generating public support and raising awareness is a key part of Don’t Mow, Let It Grow’s purpose and is incredibly important to Project Manager, Rachel Bain.
Rachel says: “The public support and understanding of what we are endeavouring to achieve with Don’t Mow, Let It Grow is essential, and will help us identify other potential sites across the borough. It is vital that people understand the environmental impact of cutting grassland and embrace the ethos of Don’t Mow, Let It Grow.
It is hoped that the results will also encourage other local Councils and organisations to adopt similar projects, and work to improve the biodiversity and preservation of local wildlife and wildflowers right across Northern Ireland.”
In year one of Don’t Mow, Let It Grow, the project surpassed its target aim to identify potential areas, conserve, grow, and spread awareness of how managing and conservation of semi-natural grasslands has a wide spread impact for us all. The team hopes, that with more support from the public, they can continue doing so for the foreseeable future.
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird, is delighted that this pilot project has been such a success. She said: “I have been amazed at the increase in wildflowers and insects that have appeared in the project site, just through a small change in management, and the wider support of this project have been very encouraging. I am very proud that Causeway Coast and Glens are leading the way with this pilot project “
The year one results from the Public Perception Survey gave a resounding thumbs up to the project:
97% of participants believed it to be important to manage areas in NI for wildlife purposes.
80% prefer the longer grass shown in the pictures provided.
Small changes in management of grasslands give big benefits to biodiversity and ecosystem services and provide much needed sites for pollinators who play a key role in crop production.
Don’t Mow, Let It Grow is managed by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, working with the Department for Infrastructure and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
The Public Perception Survey can be found at dontmowletitgrow.com/public-perception-survey/
