Boosting biodiversity in grassland

We took part in No Mow May 2026. This is just the beginning, and there are many ways you can help local wildlife throughout the year. Visit Plantlife's No Mow Movement calendar for more information.

No Mow May

Plantlife is a leading UK conservation charity. Their annual #NoMowMay campaign, which launched in 2019, urges everyone to “pack away the lawnmower, let wildflowers grow freely and help nature.”

We joined this national campaign in 2025 and 2026 to encourage greater biodiversity in 10 of our greenspaces.

There is no cost saving to us or our contractor by taking part in No Mow May. Our rangers took part in this campaign as they are passionate about biodiversity! It also helps to fulfil actions in our Biodiversity Action Plan. It’s one of many things we’re doing to address the joint biodiversity and climate crises. 

Targeted approach

A sign in a green field which says "We're letting it grow", with information about No Mow May.

We used the same targeted approach to stopping grass cutting this May. This involved selecting 10 sites for their suitability to allow the grass to grow longer for a short time. 
 
These were:

We manage lots more greenspaces in the borough. Some of these were not suitable for inclusion. This is for a variety of reasons, such as:

  • some sites are not accessible by the specialist machinery needed to cut longer grass
  • the grassland borders footpaths or cycleways, or is near homes
  • the grassland is popular for recreational activities
  • roadside verges - for safety reasons

Schedule

During May we stopped the regular grass cuts in key areas. This allowed them to grow for a little longer before being cut. It increased opportunities for more wildflowers to grow. Having more wildflowers and longer grass during May provides food, shade and shelter for lots of different wildlife.

We continued to cut grass paths and areas around benches and bins. This did not affect wider grass cutting at other sites, which continues as normal.

There were still plenty of other places with shorter grass, suitable for activities such as dog walking. You can find these in our Parks to visit directory.

We understand that these areas initially looked different, but this was a short-term initiative. Normal grass cutting resumed from the beginning of June.

We will consider taking part in 2027 and will continue to explore converting some of these grassland areas to permanent meadows. We will, of course, be careful to retain plenty of grassland for recreational activities.

Alongside No Mow May, we also manage many other areas as permanent wildflower meadow, supporting nature all year round. These sites show just how vibrant and full of life our green spaces can be when wildflowers are allowed to take the lead.

Meadows

We are fortunate to have lots of great places for activities, such as walking the dog, having a picnic or playing sports in Bracknell Forest. In this guide, we look at meadows, which are the most attractive and ecologically rich type of grasslands.

Attracting pollinators

Have you visited Frost Folly in Warfield and Peacock Meadows north in Binfield? These spaces change with the seasons but are at their best during the spring and summer months, when in bloom.

Wildflowers like ragged-robin and devil’s-bit scabious add a splash of colour and attract bees and butterflies. These insects help with pollination, which is essential in producing the next generation of plants.

Other benefits include:

  • provides food and shelter for wildlife
  • captures and stores carbon, which helps to tackle climate change
  • slows down surface water runoff
  • contributes to good soil health
  • offers lovely scenery for residents to enjoy

Under threat 

According to environmental charity Plantlife, over 97% of wildflower meadows in the UK have been lost since the 1930s. It is important that we act now to help preserve and enhance our local meadows for the benefit of people and wildlife.

Action we are taking

We cut the grass once a year, during the late summer, and remove the clippings. This encourages wildflowers to grow and provides food and shelter for wildlife when the vegetation is left to grow longer. 

We leave a quarter of our meadows uncut each year to provide overwintering habitat for wildlife and early nesting opportunities for birds in the spring.

At some of our sites we use livestock, such as cattle and sheep, to graze our meadows. This conservation grazing is also effective in boosting biodiversity.

A greener future

We are establishing many new meadow areas by seeding the grassland and managing them as described above. This will boost biodiversity and give residents the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our natural environment, for now and future generations.

Permanent grassland also helps to capture carbon dioxide and store it in the plants and undisturbed soil.

It is important we tackle climate change, which is one of the single biggest challenges our society faces.

Image: Meadow flower, bird’s-foot trefoil

More information

Find out how we are managing Bracknell Forest roadside nature reserves, meadows and verges.

Other habitat guides are also available from the wildlife and biodiversity page.

If you have any questions about the work taking place, contact us using our online form.