February 2022

14 Buckden Roundabout February 2022 Biodiversity and Flooding What have we done about biodiversity? We have worked with Mark Ward, our local wildlife expert, to develop a biodiversity strategy. This gives Councillors and parish staff, guidance on how to maintain and develop the biodiversity of the village. This includes: • guidance for those working on keeping the village tidy to make sure it is done in a way that enhances and promotes plants, birds, and animals. • plans to reduce verge cutting where this can be done without reducing visibility for traffic. • guidance for residents on how to support biodiversity in their gardens. We have: • created a tree strategy to ensure our existing trees are checked regularly, maintained, and protected and that more trees are planted. • created wildflower areas in St Mary ’ s Churchyard and at Hunts End with others to be planted this year. • supported residents who have put up bird boxes across the village. • started to develop a series of leaflets to encourage residents to plant trees and look after wildlife in the village. The first leaflet about planting trees is on our website. • joined with the Friends of the Towers to plant trees to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubi- lee. • worked with the school to promote the Big Green Week in September. What else could we do to support biodiversity? Consider letting more areas grow wild to protects birds, insects & butterflies at critical time e.g. “ no mow May ”; spending parish money to create and maintain more wildflower areas, as at St Mary ’ s Churchyard and Hunts End. What ideas do you have? Let us know via the Clerk.