Plans revealed for Nature Recovery project’s new season

Plans are in motion to support and enhance the 2026 season of a Biodiversity and Nature Recovery project.

Established in 2019, Denbighshire County Council’s Wildflower Meadow Project includes approximately 70 acres of native wildflower habitat supporting local nature and also helping community wellbeing across the county.

It has also been funded by Welsh Government, through the Local Nature Partnerships Cymru ENRaW project.

During the 2025 season a number of the wildflower meadows saw a resurgence in orchid species growing for the first time across the county.

For 2026 the Council’s Biodiversity and Streetscene teams are continuing to work on developing existing wildflower meadow sites in the county project portfolio.

The specialist Streetscene Nature Recovery Operatives will be working at sites this season to maintain them and also enhance selected meadows. This team will also be looking to work with local schools, communities and volunteers and welcome anybody wishing to learn more about the project or get involved to get in touch with the Biodiversity team at biodiversity@denbighshire.gov.uk.

This project helps achieve the commitments made in the Council’s Climate and Nature Strategy and the statutory duty to comply with Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act, 2016.

During this season the work will see:

• All wildflower meadow sites scheduled to be cut and collected by early Spring 2026. The cutting and collecting of the grass reduces site nutrients and grass growth and encourages biodiversity and wildflower growth.
• Some sites will receive additional, ad hoc cut and collects over summer, if they are identified as needing this management to support establishment and wildflower growth.
• All wildflower meadow sites planned to be cut and collected again from August/September 2026.
• Some further sites will be identified for enhancement in Autumn 2026. This may include seed sowing, wildflower planting, scarification and/or yellow rattle sowing.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “This project has bloomed over the years thanks to the continuing support of local communities, volunteers and our Biodiversity and Streetscene teams.

“This planned work  for 2006 will help our wildflower meadow sites establish faster as nutrients are taken from these sites consistently through cutting and collecting of the grass. Colours and flower diversity will increase at the meadows thanks to this work. The removal of soil nutrients will reduce grass growth and maintenance pressures.

“This work will also help us increase species rich habitat within the county capable of supporting more pollinators, such as bees, than regularly mown grassland.

He added: “In the UK we have lost nearly 97 percent of wildflower meadows since the 1930s. This project is more than vital for supporting local nature that has been hit by this huge loss. As more wildflowers return to the meadows they will help increase diversity and colour for all ages to enjoy and give stronger support for the pollinators at risk who play an important role in putting food on our own tables.

“Our wildflower meadows are for the equal wellbeing of our residents and wildlife to both enjoy now, and most importantly, for our future generations in the shape of our younger Denbighshire community members.”