Sowing the seeds to help nature thrive

New and enhanced wildflower habitats will help insects, birds, and small mammals to thrive, making green spaces in the borough richer in nature for everyone. These areas form part of a green corridor, helping wildlife move around and supporting local nature recovery in Telford.

With 692,000m² of wildflower meadows already established—an area equivalent to 64 football pitches—Telford & Wrekin Council is expanding its commitment. This season, the council is sowing new meadows, overseeding existing ones, and changing its meadow management to enhance a total of 47,249m² of land. This is around seven football pitches.

This effort will boost biodiversity. It will give wildlife places to shelter and discover new food sources. These areas will put on a colourful show next year.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability, explained the value of the scheme. “These meadows are more than just beautiful spaces – they’re lifelines for wildlife,” she said.

“On a summer’s day, one acre of wildflower meadow can contain up to three million flowers, producing a kilogram of nectar, enough to support 96,000 honeybees. By expanding and improving these habitats, we’re helping pollinators, birds and small mammals thrive, while also creating greener, more resilient spaces for our communities to enjoy.”

Wildflower areas are managed to allow plants to flower and set seed. This supports species such as butterflies, moths, beetles, mice, voles, and a wide range of birds. Mowing at the end of the season helps spread seeds and ensures the habitats flourish year after year.

The council is working with partners on the project. Buglife, the national insect charity, is sponsoring £3,000 worth of seeding and cultivation. Fujitsu has pledged £1,000 for wildflower seed.

Friends volunteer groups are also helping manage sites and collect seed for redistribution. Seeding is taking place in parks including Bowring, Hartshill and Dale End. There is also new planting in Dawley Park, and a community-led sowing of Yellow Rattle in Leegomery.

Marion Versluijs, a volunteer with the Friends of Hurley Brook, said: “The Friends are keen to make the woodland along the Hurley Brook more attractive to wildlife.”

“We have been planting Yellow Rattle which keeps grass in check, so wildflowers can thrive which in turn supports insects, birds and bats. We are working in partnership with the Council which has supplied the seeds and we hope to see this patch of grass become a beautiful wildflower meadow next spring.”

Seed mixes are tailored to suit different conditions. Sunny sites are planted with species like Red Clover, Field Scabious and Yellow Rattle. Shaded areas feature Foxglove, Campion and Oxeye Daisy. This work is part of the Council’s commitment to protect, care, and invest in the borough.