Wildflowers once again brightening up County Hall

The wildflower meadows were created last year by staff from the Council's Countryside Service with support from the Ecology Team as part of the Worcestershire Pollinator Strategy, and they are once again brightening up the grounds at County Hall.

The strategy is an initiative to increase native flower-rich habitats which help support insect pollinator populations, which are currently in decline nationally and globally.

The areas were sowed with a mix of native wildflowers and grasses, all of which are great food and shelter for pollinating insects, as well as other wildlife.

The bright annual species are now protecting perennial wildflowers and grasses below as they slowly establish, and the flowers and colours will change year to year as it naturally develops into a meadow.

The project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) from the Natural Networks programme delivered in partnership between Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, alongside divisional funding made available from Councillor Tony Miller, Cabinet Member for the Environment.

Councillor Tony Miller, cabinet member with responsibility for Environment at Worcestershire County Council said: “It is so important that we are pollinator friendly in Worcestershire, not only to help slow the decline of pollinators globally, but also to support Worcestershire’s thriving fruit growing industry. I look forward to seeing the continued work into making Worcestershire full of thriving habitats for bees and other pollinators.”

The project also included the installation of a bee brick and pollinator posts, alongside interpretation boards on the site to highlight the works that have taken place, and the objectives.

Worcestershire County Council’s pollinator strategy 2020 to 2025 sets out plans to create habitats to help slow and reverse the dramatic decline of pollinators.

It also details how it will support a sustainable and thriving agriculture and horticulture sector, making Worcestershire more attractive for people to live and work in.

Worcestershire was the first county in the West Midlands to publish a pollinator strategy.

Go to the County Council website to view the Pollinator Strategy.