FOR many, the sight of long unruly grass, clusters of cow parsley swaying in an early summer breeze, dandelions and even buttercups in a public park or along a roadside is regarded as untidy.
An orderly society prefers a world of neatly trimmed verges, grassy areas cut to within an inch from the soil and carefully maintained flower beds.
But, nature doesn't really do straight lines.
As a species we arrogantly believe that nature is something to be manipulated, to be cut back and tamed to suit our needs. We forget that we are a product of a complicated eco-system.
Along our roadsides, just metres from where thousands of cars pass every day, is a rich source of biodiversity and while there is a clear need to ensure that views and signs are not obstructed, there has been a tendency in the past to overdo it and cut far beyond what is necessary.
On the road just outside Coleraine, running towards Castlerock, silver weed, foxtail grass, common vetch and meadowsweet grows, alongside cuckoo flowers, bluebells and orchids.
Hoverflies, butterflies and bees buzz among the wildflowers.
Insects are pollinators, not just for our native flowers but for around three quarters of wild plants in Ireland. In addition a thriving insect population is a vital food source for higher up the food chain.
Around 180kms of roadway in the Causeway Coast and Glens council area are cut just once a year and then allowed to grow wild to allow nature to take its course.
The Don’t Mow, Let It Grow project is the brainchild of biodiversity officer for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Rachel Bain.
“Not only are we encouraging biodiversity in the area, but we are increasing public awareness about our natural environment and by not cutting these verges every couple of months we are saving our ratepayers money,” she says.
“Key to the project have been our volunteers who help us to manages the sites, logging the species that are growing here and helping to promote the project on social media.”
Riverside Park in the centre of Ballymoney is another signature project for the scheme, where fives areas have been set aside and allowed to grow wild.
Walking through the park with Rachel is a masterclass in identifying the wildlife that is literally at our feet and too often overlooked.
For the untrained eye there is just long grass, but within minutes Rachel has pointed out wild orchids, eyebright, clover, irises, buttercups and bluebells.
For the forager there is sorrel, which brings a peppery taste to salads, wild garlic, nettles to make soup and wine and, in the autumn, wild mushrooms.
(Foraging should always come with a health warning and you should never pick and eat anything unless you are 100 per cent certain what it is – particularly mushrooms and fungus.)
A former boating lake in the centre of the park has been cleared and the river which feeds into it has had breaks and bends worked into it to enhance its flow.
The park is on a natural flood plain which makes it nutrient-rich and, according to Rachel, a fertile natural nursery for the native seed bank which can lie dormant for up to 30 years.
Along its banks reeds and marsh marigolds flourish, insects buzz and the air is a symphony of birdsong – all within a few minutes walk from Ballymoney town centre.
:: Don’t Mow, Let It Grow is managed by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, working with the Department for Infrastructure and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Further information see dontmowletitgrow.com
