Petition to stop Bolton Council maintaining/ mowing small green spaces and verges in Horwich between Spring and Autumn and to instead plant wild flower seeds in order to increase local pollinator population. 

The main problem affecting most pollinators is the loss of suitable habitat. Including forage and nesting or breeding sites (RHS).

There are over 313,000 miles of rural road verge in the UK. This is equal to half of our remaining flower-rich grasslands and meadows. One mile of flower rich verge can produce 20kg of nectar sugar per year, enough to feed millions of pollinators (Plant Life). 

The Blue Campaign aims to get councils to turn roadside verges and public spaces into native wildflower meadow. This requires far less maintenance than traditional mowing schedules; saving the council money, reducing their carbon footprint and significantly increasing local wildlife density and diversity. 

References

https://www.rhs.org.uk/wildlife/pollinators-decline-in-numbers

https://www.plantlife.org.uk/application/files/7916/1191/6240/Road_verge_guide_2021_WEB.pdf

https://bluecampaignhub.com/councils