Area of management - Highway verges
Type of management
Verge management which includes new cycle and footpaths
Action and explanation
1. Where appropriate ‘cut and collect’ will be the preferred option for mowing of the highway verges - this will reduce the fertility and growth of the grass.
This will also allow wildflowers to compete with grass for space to grow, therefore allowing more wildflowers on the verges.
Over time less cutting will be required which will save money and the verges will look more attractive and provide good habitat for pollinators.
2. Re-use of grass cuttings will be the preferred option where possible. – to provide a sustainable approach.
3. Reduce the number of cuts undertaken – this will allow longer periods of flowering and the opportunity for flowers to set seed, improving botanical diversity. Reducing the frequency of cutting also reduces our operational carbon footprint.
4. Provide training/awareness for on-site/ground staff regularly and when new staff employed - to ensure management in relation to pollinators is understood, promoted and are carried out.
Who need to be involved
Greenspace team and Grounds team
Area of management - Highway verges
Type of management
Grass management.
Action and explanation
Some sowing of either spring and late summer wild flowering seed, annual flowery meadow or arable flower seed mixes, this is to provide an increase in the number and variety of pollinators along the verges. The use of Yellow Rattle has already been successful in reducing grass vigour.
Scarification of verges, where required prior to seeding will be carried out, this is to improve sward diversity.
The use of wildflowers such as parasitic on grasses will take place each year in selected locations.
Who need to be involved
Greenspace team and Grounds team.
Area of management - Highway verges
Type of management
Tree and hedge management
Action and explanation
Hedges will be cut on a three-year rotation where possible.
They will be cut less often (this will need to be in line with a good health and safety policy and existing environmental land management agreements)
By cutting hedgerows less often it will allow longer periods for nectar rich species to be available to pollinators
Hedges will be maintained in the long term by ensuring additional appropriate management; some coppicing, cutting to ground level on a rotation basis, this is to ensure dense new growth from the bottom of the hedge, gap filling and hedge laying.
Standing dead timber and habitat piles will be left in situ incorporated into banks and hedge bases.
Any new/replacement planting will include species for both early spring flowers (such as goat and grey willows and blackthorn) and later spring flowers such as hawthorn and crab apple.
The hedge bases and banks will be buffered from cutting to create grassy margins, particularly on south-facing sides. If scrub such as bramble needs controlling, it will be cut late in the year.
Where appropriate on some south facing banks areas will be closely cut to create areas of short turf and bare ground.
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
- Arboriculture team
Area of management - Highway verges
Type of management
Chemicals and pesticides management
Action and explanation
Dorset Council will prohibit the use of Neonicotinoid pesticides on its land, where there are powers to enforce this.
Research suggests that Neonicotinoid pesticides are harmful to pollinators.
To use alternatives will see an increase in pollinators.
The use of other chemicals such as the herbicide Glyphosate will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Research now appears to have found links between the use of this herbicide and the decline of bees
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
- Arboriculture team
Area of management - County Farms
Type of management
Chemicals and pesticides management
Action and explanation
Dorset Farms will be an exception to the use of Neonicotinoid pesticides where existing tenancies are in place.
However, information will be provided to encourage tenants not use Neonicotinoid pesticides.
New tenants will be encouraged adopt the Council Council Policy and implement other actions to benefit pollinators.
Research suggests that Neonicotinoid pesticides are harmful to pollinators.
To use alternatives will likely see an increase in pollinators
Who need to be involved
The Dorset Council Farms Liaison Panel and the Dorset Council Rural Practice team
Area of management - County Farms
Type of management
Conservation management of key habitats.
Action and explanation
The key principles for pollinators will be embedded in the Estate Management Plan, this is to ensure a consistent approach to pollinators.
New farm tenants will be provided with the Dorset Council pollination action plan with specific information on woodland, grassland, wetland and hedgerow management, this is to enable tenants to follow a consistent approach to pollinators.
Hedgerows will be cut less often and managed as above this, in line with a good health and safety policy and existing environmental land management agreements this is to allow longer periods for nectar rich species to be available to pollinators.
Who need to be involved
- Dorset Council Farms Liaison Panel
- Dorset Council Rural Practice team
- Natural environment team
Area of management - Schools
Type of management
Grass management
Action and explanation
Where appropriate ‘cut and collect’ will be the preferred option for mowing of non-sports pitches.
Mowing regimes will be incorporated into SLA Provide training/awareness for on-site/ground this is to ensure ensure the workforce if fully informed and supportive of improving schools’ areas for pollinators.
Information to schools where groundwork done will be provided with information relating to schools and pollinators.
Who need to be involved
The Greenspace team and Grounds team.
Area of management - Schools
Type of management
Tree and hedgerow management
Action and explanation
Hedgerows will be cut less often, in line with a good health and safety policy and existing environmental land management agreements this is to allow longer periods for nectar rich species to be available to pollinators.
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
- Arboriculture team
Area of management - Schools
Type of management
Shrub and flower management
Action and explanation
Manage existing shrub/flower beds to maximise flower period, this is to avoid some shrub areas being cut before or when in flower and therefore reducing their pollination value.
Provide training/awareness for on-site/ground - to ensure the workforce is fully informed and supportive of improving schools’ areas for pollinators
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
Area of management - Countryside and wildlife sites
Type of management
Verge management
Action and explanation
Where appropriate ‘cut and collect’ will be the preferred option for verge management, this will reduce the fertility and growth of the grass and allow wildflowers to compete with grass for space to grow, therefore allowing more wildflowers.
Provide training/awareness for on-site/ground staff regularly and when new staff employed this is to ensure management in relation to pollinators is understood, promoted and are carried out.
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
Area of management - Countryside and wildlife sites
Type of management
Woodland, tree and hedge management.
Action and explanation
Standing dead timber and habitat piles will be left in situ incorporated into banks and hedge bases this is to encourage pollinators.
Hedgerows will be cut less often, in line with a good health and safety policy and existing environmental land management agreements, this is to maintain and enhance the number of pollinators.
By cutting hedgerows less often it will allow longer periods for nectar rich species to be available to pollinators.
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
- Arboriculture team
Area of management - Countryside and wildlife sites
Type of management
Grass management.
Action and explanation
Regular sowing will take place each year of either spring and late summer wild flowering seed, annual flowery meadow seed and wildflowers parasitic on grasses in selected locations this is to allow for an increase in the number and variety of pollinators.
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
Area of management - Countryside and wildlife sites
Type of management
Conservation management.
Action and explanation
Dorset Council will prohibit the use of Neonicotinoid pesticides on its land, where there are powers to enforce this.
Research suggests that Neonicotinoid pesticides are harmful to pollinators.
To use alternatives will see an increase in pollinators.
The use of other chemicals such as the herbicide Glyphosate will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Research now appears to have found links between the use of this herbicide and the decline of bees.
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
- Natural environment team
Area of management - Council offices, depots, libraries and other land holdings
Type of management
Grass management.
Action and explanation
Where appropriate ‘cut and collect’ will be the preferred option for mowing grass at council owned properties. This will reduce the fertility and growth of the grass.
This will allow wildflowers to compete with grass for space to grow, therefore allowing more wildflowers on the verges.
Over time less cutting will be required which will save money, with the verges will look more attractive and provide the right environment for pollinators.
Re-use of grass cuttings will be the preferred option where possible, this is to provide a sustainable approach.
Reduce the number of cuts undertaken, this will allow longer periods of flowering and flowers to set seed, improving botanical diversity.
Provide training/awareness for on-site/ground staff regularly and when new staff employed , this is to ensure management in relation to pollinators is understood, promoted and are carried out
Where appropriate develop butterfly gardens. As example of best practice.
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
- Natural environment team
Area of management - Council offices, depots, libraries and other land holdings
Type of management
Woodland, tree and hedge management.
Action and explanation
Standing dead timber and habitat piles will be left in situ incorporated into banks and hedge bases.
Hedgerows will be cut less often, in line with a good health and safety policy and existing environmental land management agreements, this is to maintain and enhance the number of pollinators.
By cutting hedgerows less often it will allow longer periods for nectar rich species to be available to pollinators
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
Area of management - Council offices, depots, libraries and other land holdings
Type of management
Chemicals
Action and explanation
Dorset Council will prohibit the use of Neonicotinoid pesticides on its land, where there are powers to enforce this.
Research suggests that Neonicotinoid pesticides are harmful to pollinators.
To use alternatives will see an increase in pollinators
Who need to be involved
- Greenspace team
- Grounds team
Area of management - Existing buildings and structures
Type of management
Development
Action and explanation
Create opportunities for ‘greening’ buildings and other structures by retro fitting.
Green roofs, green walls, sustainable urban drainage systems are just a few of the opportunities to help pollinators.
Smaller scale enhancements such as installation of bug/bee hotels or pollinator friendly hanging baskets are good examples.
Who need to be involved
- Natural environment team
- Landscape architect
- Dorset property
Area of management - Existing buildings and structures
Type of management
Project development and delivery.
Action and explanation
Get advice at inception stages of all new infrastructure projects from the Dorset Council Natural Environment Team and Dorset Council Landscape Architects, this is to ensure infrastructure projects can benefit and increase wildlife/pollinators
Planning for pollinators will be considered at an early stage of any infrastructure projects
Who need to be involved
- Natural environment team
- Highways team
- Dorset property
