A plan commissioned by Monmouthshire County Council to benefit bees, other pollinating insects and their habitats has picked up a much sought-after award.

 The Green Infrastructure Action Plan for Pollinators won the President’s Award at the Landscape Institute’s annual ceremony in London on Thursday 25th November.  The plan is the first of its kind and sets out how land owners can manage their property more effectively and work together to tackle the decline of bees and other pollinators.

 It was produced by Cardiff-based TACP landscape architects and project-managed by Mackley Davies Associates Ltd to create new habitats for pollinators on behalf of the local councils in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and Torfaen. The plan was one of a number of individual and collaborative projects that formed part of the Pollinators for Life project coordinated by Torfaen council, delivered by the four local councils and financed by the Welsh Government’s Nature Fund programme. Monmouthshire’s lead on the Green Infrastructure Action Plan for Pollinators was complemented by the development of its pollinator garden at Usk and inspired by its new green infrastructure policy approach to development and management.

The plan was praised in particular for the benefits brought by collaboration between neighbouring councils, social landlords, emergency services, schools, land owners and other community groups.  It outlines actions to encourage bees and other pollinating insects.  These include cutting grass to different heights at different times of the year and the development of wild flower meadows or formal planting areas.

Green infrastructure action plan for pollinators in south-east wales (Technical Document)

Managing School Grounds for Pollinators – An introduction for head teachers

Managing Residential Areas for Pollinators – An introduction for estates managers

Managing Highway Verges for Pollinators – An introduction for highway managers

Managing Green Spaces for Pollinators – An introduction for managers