WAITING FOR STAFF PIC Green spaces attracts wide variety of wild species

WAITING FOR STAFF PIC Green spaces attracts wide variety of wild species

1:38pm Monday 17th March 2014 in News

RESIDENTS are enjoying watching a boom in wild species after a change in the care of a large area of urban grassland in Middlesbrough.

Tortoiseshell butterflies and flowering plants are among the variety of species appearing in areas of longer grass in the space on Roworth Road after simple changes in cultivation and its mowing regime.

Erimus Housing brought in Groundwork North East to advise on making better use of its land, which needed a light touch.

Following consultation with local residents, Groundworks landscape architects devised a plan to increase its value both for local people and wildlife.

Michele MacCallam, senior landscape architect from Groundwork North East, said We will be monitoring the site closely to see how well the new flower meadow establishes.

Wide mown paths, marked out with timber posts, now provide dog-walking routes and informal playspaces, while wildflower areas are being created by cultivation and re-seeding. Simply cutting less frequently also provides habitat and food source for insects and small mammals.

Groundwork coordinated activities with Thorntree Primary School pupils who were asked to get involved in thinking about the wildlife that may be found at the site.

Some of the artwork then created by the youngsters was selected to feature on two interpretation boards highlighting what to look out for.

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WAITING FOR STAFF PIC Green spaces attracts wide variety of wild species