For wildlife, grass is an often over managed and undervalued resource.

In many parks and green spaces opportunities are overlooked where, with

a little imagination, significant benefits and contributions can be made for wildlife

without detracting from the aesthetics of the site

Agenda Introductions and housekeeping The Grow Wild Project – “Calderdale

Corridors of Colour”What's in it for usWhat's in it for you How to do it Project planning Networking and partnering opportunity –

first time park and green space users, same place, same time together

Open floor

Safer, Cleaner, Greener‘Successful, thriving and

prosperous communities are characterised by streets, parks and open spaces that are clean, safe and attractive – areas that local people are proud of and want to spend their time in.’

(quote from John Prescott)https://youtu.be/m-EPfueNU5o

http://wildflowerturf.co.uk/Resources/Videos/videos.aspx

Why Do It The wasted spaces of the past and present represent wasted opportunities

- opportunities that, when seized, have the power to dramatically improve the quality of life for people everywhere.

A high-quality public environment can have a significant impact on the economic life of urban centres, big or small and is therefore an essential part of any successful regeneration strategy.

Where to SowCare needs to be taken on site selection Not everywhere is going to be appropriate We (the council) need to track what is being done and

advise if it is ok Wildflowers look great in flower but do need after

care and careful management Training for both Parks staff and groups is an

important element of the project and needs to be built in

Perception of site management needs to be considered

We are only too aware of the perception for tidiness. But within the larger garden and certainly public green space, there’s much more can be done to realise the wildlife value of grassland with a more extensive approach to management.

What are often overlooked are the potential wildlife benefits of creating a mosaic of swards across a site. Grass is particularly important for insects and other invertebrates, living at or just below the soil surface and within the sward itself.

It provides invertebrates with shelter, somewhere to hunt, feed and breed.

Why Do It

Public Health and Green Space This increase in obesity is linked to ever more

sedentary lifestyles and a reduction in outdoor activity.

Evidence shows that adult patterns of exercise are set early on in life.

Inactivity breeds inactivity, so a lack of exercise when young can in turn create problems in adulthood such as diabetes and heart disease.

It is not just the nation’s physical health that is at risk: there are concerns too about people’s mental well-being, given the stress full lives that many now lead.

Each year the economy loses millions of working days through stress-related employee absence.

Wildflowers and Public The project is a hands on gardening

project. Wildflower gardening is a quick hit and easy to do. People can get involved, take pride and ownership.

Use the scheme as a platform to involve the local community in the town centre & urban areas.

The project has already had an impact on local communities, allotment users and ‘friends of’ green space who have used the project as a launch pad to develop a cohesive networking group and sustainable partnering network.

The project and concepts are sustainable and recyclable, harvesting seed and dividing plants.

Wildflowers and PublicThe lack of urban space is one of the main

reasons for leaving a city area. Open space is to be most valued when in its natural character.

Creating new wildlife areas in an urban space can help make that local environment more appealing, more hospitable, contribute to a healthy lifestyle and improved feeling of wellbeing to the general population.

This could indirectly improve the general health of the local population and possibly release resources for health care.

Wildflowers and PublicThe history of Calderdale is rich and

detailed. There are, and should be,

sustainable links with conservation, history, the local community, environment and ecology.

Increased plant species within park and biodiversity improvement.

Conservation can have little meaning if it does not affect our everyday lives and is only confined to sites of strictly scientific interest.

Benefits for WildlifeMany invertebrates require grass for

egg laying and over winter, as eggs, pupae or larvae in order to complete their life cycles.

It can provide a rich source of nectar for a whole range of insects.

Birds and mammals will feed on grassland seeds and invertebrates.

Reptiles and amphibians will also search for invertebrates in grass and use it as shelter when moving between sites.

Bats will forage for insects above long grass, particularly where sheltered by adjacent blocks of trees and shrubs.

Existing Sites Lower Total = 8207m2

Central Total = 4608m2

Halifax North & East Total = 5270m2

Upper Total = 700m2

Lane Head – 300m2 St Pauls – 2000m2 Godley New Bank – 840m2(below St Joseph’s School)

Rose St, Todmorden – 200m2

Clayhouse Sustrans – 200m2 Vickerman St – 1000m2 Lee Bridge – 300m2(near the Shroggs Rd tip)

Centre Vale Park – 500m2

War Memorials – 200m2 Manor Heath – 200m2 Field Head Ln – 200m2

Elland Bridge – 100m2 Burdock Way – 200m2(grass island beds, Lister Ln)

Per Ln, Ogden – 100m2

Wilkinsons, Brighouse – 207m2(wall top above car park)

Copley play area – 400m2 Holdsworth Rd/Shay Ln – 730m2(outside Trinity Academy)

Banking opp Kwik Fit – 200m2 Abbey Park Escarpment – 2000m2

Stainland – 2800m2 Shelf Hall Park – 300m2 Junction 25 Roundabout – 2000m2(established but needs maintenance)

Beechwood Park – 500m2

Calderdale Way – 300m2 West View – 300m2Rydings Park – 800m2(wall top adj Halifax Rd)Artesian Bed – 100m2Wellholme Park – 1000m2(Gala field telegraph poles, Bates Garage, Thornhill Rd car park & Orchard Allotment)

Existing Sites

StainlandProfile extensive area located to the

rear of the amenity sports areas Currently managed on an annual

basis by local farmers for topping and removal of grass

There are cut path ways around the perimeter of the area which is approximately 10000 m2

Future plan Develop paths for dog walkers

through the centre of the existing meadow which would encourage and increase integration and management of future footfall.

The site would be sown with perennial wildflowers supplemented in year one with annuals

Stainland Aerial View

Project Timeline Plan Month Phase Actions

August 2015 Project planning Communities Scrutiny Panel review of wild flowers and weed control

September 2015 Develop project with area managers and area ambassadors

Identify plan Aims and objectives Why do it Outcomes

October 2015 Roll out to Community Groups Seek Grant Funding

October 2015 Start ground preparation

November 2015 Communities Scrutiny Panel review of wild flowers and weed control

January – April 2016 Preparation and sowing Press media coverage

April – May 2016 Sow – Grow – failure Tweak and amend

How and When to Prepare

Thanks for your time & for listening

Agree this can be doneBid is together – more

detail neededTotal of ‘Volunteer Days’ Swap information

What needs to be done next

Wildflower SpeciesStandard Cornfield Annuals Mixture Summer Flowering Butterfly & Bee Mix Flowers Only

Agrostemma githago - Corncockle 40%Anthemis arvensis - Corn Chamomile 10%Centaurea cyanus - Cornflower 20%Chrysanthemum segetum - Corn Marigold 15%Papaver rhoeas - Corn Poppy 15%

Achillea millefolium - Yarrow 3%Anthyllis vulneraria - Kidney Vetch 3%Campanula glomerata - Clustered Bellflower 1%Campanula trachelium - Nettle Leaved Bellflower 1%Centaurea nigra - Common Knapweed 8%Centaurea scabiosa - Greater Knapweed 5%Daucus carota - Wild Carrot 4%Echium vulgare - Viper's Bugloss 4%Galium verum - Lady's Bedstraw 8%Geranium pratense - Meadow Cranesbill 2%Hypericum perforatum - Common St. John's Wort 3%Knautia arvensis - Field Scabious 5%Lathyrus pratensis - Meadow Vetchling 3%Linaria vulgaris - Common Toadflax 1%Lotus corniculatus - Birdsfoot Trefoil 7%Lythrum salicaria - Purple Loosestrife 2%Origanum vulgare - Wild Marjoram 2%Prunella vulgaris - Self Heal 10%Rhinanthus minor - Yellow Rattle 7%

Costings TotalPhase Task Actionee Cost

Initial preparation Pasture topping, spraying offInitial rotavation and ground preparation

In house £1/m2

Follow up cultivation and sowing Cultivation, sowing @ 5gms per m2 and rolling in

In house £1/m2

Sward cut and removal Currently managed on an annual basis

Local farmers for topping and removal of grass

Free

Pernicious weed removal Litter picking Pasture topping

Final cut In house £1/m2

Grass total area 18,785m2 Proposed areas to develop Stainland – 2800m2Calderdale Way – 300m2Abbey Park – 2000m2

£3/m2Total Cost £15,300

Site Action Plans Phase Task Technique Follow up and checks

Ground preparation Select ground that is not highly fertile and does not have a problem with perennial weeds

Good preparation is essential to success so aim to control weeds and produce a good quality seed bed before sowing

September Prepare a seed bed first and remove weeds

Using repeated cultivation or a herbicide

October Plough or dig to bury the surface vegetation

Harrow or rake to produce a medium tilthHarley Power Rake Tractor Draize

Roll, or tread to produce a firm surface

Sowing Autumn or Spring but can be sown at other times of the year if there is sufficient warmth and moisture

The seed must be surface sown and can be applied by machine or broadcast by handCharterhouse Seeder

Get an even distribution and avoid running out, divide the seed into two or more parts and sow in overlapping sections

Sowing Do not incorporate or cover the seed

Firm in with a roll, or by treading to give good soil/seed contact

First Year Aftercare First Year Management Task Technique Follow Up and Checks

January – April Most meadow species are perennial and will be slow to germinate and grow and will not usually flower in the first growing season

There will often be a flush of annual weeds from the soil in the first growing season

Weed growth is easily controlled by topping or mowing Spearhead Pasture Topper

April – August Avoid cutting in the spring and early summer if the mixture is autumn sown and contains Yellow Rattle or if the mixture has been sown with a nurse of cornfield annuals

These sown annuals should be allowed to flower then in mid-summer cut and remove the vegetation

Currently managed on an annual basis by local farmers for topping and removal of grass

August – September It is important to cut back the annuals before they die back

Set seed and collapse: this cut will reveal the developing meadow mixture and give it the space it needs to develop

Second and Subsequent YearsYear/Season Task and Actions Requires Follow Up and Checks

Second and subsequent years Perennial sowings can be managed in a number of ways which, in association with soil fertility, will determine the character of the grassland

Best results are usually obtained by traditional meadow management based around a main summer hay cut in combination with autumn and possibly spring mowing or grazing

Spring through to late July/August Meadow grassland is not cut or grazed from to give the sown species an opportunity to flower

Currently managed on a annual basis by local farmers for topping and removal of grass

July or August After flowering in take a 'hay cut': cut back with a scythe, petrol strimmer or tractor mower to 50mm.

Leave the 'hay' to dry and shed seed for 1-7 days then remove from site

August to late Autumn/Winter Mow or graze the re-growth through 50mm and again in Spring if needed

In house – Spearhead Pasture Topper

SuppliersName Address Contact Details

John Chambers Sweethills Park, Nun MonktonYork, YO26 8ET

Tel: 01423 332100 Fax: 01423 332101

Wildflower Turf Ltd Ashe Warren Farm, OvertonBasingstoke, Hants, RG25 3AW

Tel: 01256 771222Email: wildflower@wildflowerturf.co.uk

Sherriff Amenity Poplar Park, Cliff LaneLymm, Cheshire, WA13 0TD

T: 01925 758886F: 01925 756349

Rigby Taylor Limited Suite 16 Rivington HouseHorwich Loco Industrial EstateHorwich, Bolton, BL6 5UE

Tel: 0800 424919 (Freefone)Tel: 01204 677777Fax: 01204 677715

Naturescape British Wild Flowers Maple Farm, Coach Gap LaneLangar, Notts, NG13 9HP