I think its a great idea. Its been lovely to see more wildflowers, bees and butterflies this year, and if it helps us reduce Fife's carbon footprint, that's even better.
It has been fantastic to see areas of grassland in Ravenscraig Park growing longer and with a path through the middle to stroll along. I feel it's beneficial for my mental health to walk among the grasses and wildflowers and around the wildlife it attracts. Much more of this please!
I think it's great - is 10% enough? Fife has relatively little land which is left wild (which means road verges are important, as well as parks). It's been lovely to see Rock Rose blooming on Moat Hill in Cupar, not just on the coastal path. And if it reduces the Council's carbon footprint, that's good.
I would not want to discourage the direction of travel here. I do think that rewilding is the better option and by that I mean letting the meadow develop into scrub. Now I know untouched scrub doesn't always look pretty but it is the most biodiverse and with a bit of creativity, it also contains wild flowers. The philosophy behind the grassland management approach is that we must control the land and prefer some species over another, yet there are insects and animals that need scrubland to live in and can't live in a meadow that's just been cut. So I think that cut meadows is great because the flowers look good and people might want meadows. Rewilding (and by that I mean, no longer doing anything exempt remove the litter and some occasional planting or removal) is the climate change gold standard, so it is the option which I would be keenest to see happening. To repeat, I really think the 'new way' is going in the right direction but it is wrong about how good it is compared to rewilding completely.
I think there is room for the Grasslands approach of the Council and leaving some areas rewilded. I don’t think in Fife one is more important than the other. In our Community projects we have both; they serve slightly different purposes
It has been great to see more than just a couple of wildflower areas in parks etc. It doesn't just attract the wonderful bees and butterflies but lots of other wildlife. Definitely a good way ahead and would hope for this to be expanded into more areas
Really think this is a great idea, and the more wild areas we can have the better, as wildlife needs space too, more linking of wilded sites would be really beneficial for any wildlife using it, rather than isolated islands. Carbon emission reduction is essential, this is a good way to benefit wildlife and reduce carbon emissions. Please consider the importance of leaving some long grass over winter as habitat.
Totally agree with this idea of green corridors. In St. Andrews we have Craigtoun Park that links to the Lade Braes, Botanic Gardens and via the Kinnessburn eventually arrives at Strathkinness to our Community assets of garden and orchard
Agree but this area needs increased. Not sure why trees are not part of the equations for some sites since they require less maintenance than wildflower meadows, however attractive. One challenge is to educate the local population to accept swathes which will be less `managed'
I wholeheartedly support this proposal and hope that it is the first stage in the council devoting more land to wild spaces that, particularly this year, we have all come to rely on as a place to get some head space and improve our well being.
I agree. The area of land being consulted on is a very small amount of FC grassland. I hope this is stage one of a broader plan for allowing more diversity in grassland areas including roadside verges. I assume expert input will be involved to get this right and allow proper areas of wildflower meadow to develop, not just a mixture of grasses. We need this for invertebrate diversity and plant diversity as well as for our enjoyment. I don't see this as an option really. More of a duty.
A great idea,which should be rightly applauded! Start with grass verges,make them connected wherever possible,creating a natural corridor for wildlife and then expand on that,once the passing public are used to it! With a bit of forethought, planning and interdepartmental cooperation and coordination,10% should be achievable!!
Open answers (23)
I think its a great idea. Its been lovely to see more wildflowers, bees and butterflies this year, and if it helps us reduce Fife's carbon footprint, that's even better.
It has been fantastic to see areas of grassland in Ravenscraig Park growing longer and with a path through the middle to stroll along. I feel it's beneficial for my mental health to walk among the grasses and wildflowers and around the wildlife it attracts. Much more of this please!
I think it's great - is 10% enough? Fife has relatively little land which is left wild (which means road verges are important, as well as parks). It's been lovely to see Rock Rose blooming on Moat Hill in Cupar, not just on the coastal path. And if it reduces the Council's carbon footprint, that's good.
I would not want to discourage the direction of travel here. I do think that rewilding is the better option and by that I mean letting the meadow develop into scrub. Now I know untouched scrub doesn't always look pretty but it is the most biodiverse and with a bit of creativity, it also contains wild flowers. The philosophy behind the grassland management approach is that we must control the land and prefer some species over another, yet there are insects and animals that need scrubland to live in and can't live in a meadow that's just been cut. So I think that cut meadows is great because the flowers look good and people might want meadows. Rewilding (and by that I mean, no longer doing anything exempt remove the litter and some occasional planting or removal) is the climate change gold standard, so it is the option which I would be keenest to see happening. To repeat, I really think the 'new way' is going in the right direction but it is wrong about how good it is compared to rewilding completely.
I think there is room for the Grasslands approach of the Council and leaving some areas rewilded. I don’t think in Fife one is more important than the other. In our Community projects we have both; they serve slightly different purposes
It has been great to see more than just a couple of wildflower areas in parks etc. It doesn't just attract the wonderful bees and butterflies but lots of other wildlife. Definitely a good way ahead and would hope for this to be expanded into more areas
Really think this is a great idea, and the more wild areas we can have the better, as wildlife needs space too, more linking of wilded sites would be really beneficial for any wildlife using it, rather than isolated islands. Carbon emission reduction is essential, this is a good way to benefit wildlife and reduce carbon emissions. Please consider the importance of leaving some long grass over winter as habitat.
Totally agree with this idea of green corridors. In St. Andrews we have Craigtoun Park that links to the Lade Braes, Botanic Gardens and via the Kinnessburn eventually arrives at Strathkinness to our Community assets of garden and orchard
Agree but this area needs increased. Not sure why trees are not part of the equations for some sites since they require less maintenance than wildflower meadows, however attractive. One challenge is to educate the local population to accept swathes which will be less `managed'
I wholeheartedly support this proposal and hope that it is the first stage in the council devoting more land to wild spaces that, particularly this year, we have all come to rely on as a place to get some head space and improve our well being.
I agree. The area of land being consulted on is a very small amount of FC grassland. I hope this is stage one of a broader plan for allowing more diversity in grassland areas including roadside verges. I assume expert input will be involved to get this right and allow proper areas of wildflower meadow to develop, not just a mixture of grasses. We need this for invertebrate diversity and plant diversity as well as for our enjoyment. I don't see this as an option really. More of a duty.
A great idea,which should be rightly applauded! Start with grass verges,make them connected wherever possible,creating a natural corridor for wildlife and then expand on that,once the passing public are used to it! With a bit of forethought, planning and interdepartmental cooperation and coordination,10% should be achievable!!