The Southwark biodiversity fund is open and accepting projects to help improve biodiversity in the borough.

As part of our commitment to encourage even greater biodiversity and address the climate emergency, we are reviewing the way we maintain grassed areas.

Park users will notice that we have relaxed grass mowing in some areas of our parks. For example, around the edges of our parks, under trees and perhaps in existing conservation areas as well. If you look closely you will see a greater diversity in wildflowers already. But, over time, and with a little careful management, we hope to see even more wildflowers blooming in these spaces. These will encourage more bees, butterflies and other local wildlife as well.

However, we understand that our parks play many roles for many people, and we have been careful to balance these new changes and ensure that there is still plenty of space for people to relax, have picnics, play sports and enjoy the outdoors. We can reassure you that we will continue to maintain plenty of grassed areas for this to continue as well.