Enhancing biodiversity on our land
The council has been working on a range of different projects to protect and enhance biodiversity on land that it owns, including promoting access to green spaces for people and nature to thrive.
Tree Planting – our Tree Policy sets out how we will protect, plant, and manage trees on our land. We have also worked with and supported community groups to plant trees on land owned by the council.
Grass cutting – we’ve been leaving select public areas uncut as part of an extended trial of ‘No Mow May’ to encourage wildflowers to grow and boost our biodiversity. We also have a number of wildflower meadows that we actively manage in.
At Abbey Gardens and Abbey Meadow, Abingdon, Folly Park, Faringdon and Manor Road Memorial Park, Wantage we have been working to manage these areas for people and nature.
In addition, we have several sites which are managed on our behalf including Barton Fields, Tuckmill Meadows – a local nature reserve and SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) Abbey Fishponds and Besselsleigh Wood.
Across the sites we are restoring limestone grasslands, reedbeds, woodland and fen habitats and have encouraged many species including bats, otters, birds and orchids.
Picture shows Barton Fields in Abingdon
Contact us - Climate and biodiversity team
Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE
