Encouraging wildlife and biodiversity in parks and open spaces

Grassland Management Trials 2022

Grounds Maintenance Trial 2021

Following on from successful trials, we are now extending our new approach to grassland management over the next 2 years.

Grow Wild for Perth and Kinross

Following successful grassland management trials (opens new window) undertaken from 2021 - 2024 across 198 sites, we are extending this new approach over the next 2 years as part of the 'Grow Wild' campaign. In 2024 we extended our trials to Perth and the surrounding area (opens new window). From 2025, we'll start to roll this out across the remainder of the Perth and Kinross area, allowing for the development of a sustainable long-term action plan, while also reducing maintenance costs at up to 1,700 of the 1,900 sites which we currently maintain.

Our open spaces are for everyone to enjoy so it's important that all views are taken into consideration. We'll shortly be publishing an online survey which will allow everyone to share their feedback on the Grow Wild initiative.

What changes will take place?

As part of our commitment to protect and enhance our environment we've begun to make some noticeable changes as to how we maintain our parks and amenity areas. We've taken immediate climate action by ceasing all chemical and mechanical methods of grass control around all trees and obstacles such as spraying and strimming around litter bins.

The next visible change will be to reduce the frequency of grass cutting in some areas and create nature networks to encourage pollination and other wildlife. Maintenance of perimeters adjacent to roads, paths and housing will continue with paths mown through these areas to allow for dog walking and those who wish to experience the natural environment.

A flexible approach will be taken when managing the project as we cannot be certain what will and won't grow in the Grow Wild areas, therefore monitoring of sites will be essential. It is hoped that over time, many of these areas will be planted with fruit and native trees to further encourage insects and birds, while providing corridors to connect nature.

Individual maps of some of the sites being trialled can be viewed below.

Encouraging biodiversity in parks and open spaces

Signage will be installed at each large site where the Grow Wild approach is in place to keep you informed of the changes in our parks and open spaces. Different approaches will be taken at different sites based on what sustainable method will best suit the landscape and enhance biodiversity. This could include 'cut and lift', where there is one annual cut and the clippings removed to mimic traditional hay meadows, or 'cut and leave', where the clippings from the annual cut are left and lawn species can grow such as daisies and buttercups.

Each site will either continue to have a regular amenity cut or receive a mixture of the maintenance methods listed below.

'No Mow' Areas - We will leave the main body of grass uncut while mowing desire lines for paths where appropriate.
We will aim to cut the no mow areas on our sites once a year where possible.
Amenity Cut - Some open spaces will continue to have the grass cut regularly, although we will no longer be cutting around trees or strimming edges.
Cut and lift areas - We will leave the main body of grass uncut for the growing season with a single cut and lift between September and October.
Existing long grass areas - There will be no maintenance within these areas, however, we'll ensure that path and road edges receive a mowers width cut alongside.
Bulb Areas - Once the bulbs have died back, areas containing bulbs will be cut and the grass lifted once per year.
Wildflower areas - To be cut back once per year. Weeds will be removed by hand or via a chemical method if invasive weeds are in the area.
There will be a reduction of weed control within our sites with invasive weeds being spot treated where required.
Leaf fall will be displaced onto biodiversity areas and left to naturally mulch.
Service strips (areas containing underground services such as BT cables) will now be cut less frequently with a relaxed mowing schedule.
We will continue to cut around fence lines within our open spaces.

Maps of individual Grow Wild trial areas for some of the main sites

If you would like an accessible copy of any of the information on this page, please contact communitygreenspace@pkc.gov.uk.

Working in partnership with our communities

We'll be working closely with communities to ensure spaces remain fit for community use while maximising opportunities for biodiversity. There'll be opportunities for communities to help us implement changes, maintain areas, enhance biodiversity and plant pollinators, while extending the Grow Wild approach to further sites where appropriate.

How to get involved

Monitoring the flora and fauna (PDF, 7 MB) at our Grow Wild sites is essential in helping us understand how best to manage each area and will help us decide on maintenance regimes which are best suited for each landscape.

To that end, we will be once again looking for volunteers to help carry out this important task. All that's required from you, is to visit a site once a month on a nice dry day and spend a bit of time gathering information about the flora and fauna there.

If you are keen on getting involved in enhancing Grow Wild sites for biodiversity, there are many active groups (opens new window) across Perth and Kinross that you can volunteer with. You can sign up by emailing communitygreenspace@pkc.gov.uk.

Your views matter

Our open spaces are for everyone to enjoy so it's important that all views are taken into consideration. Look out shortly for our online survey which will allow everyone to share their feedback on the Grow Wild initiative, suggest additional sites and to sign up for wildlife monitoring and community volunteering opportunities.

We will review the survey responses regularly to look for new ideas which we can implement on our sites. It is envisioned that the Grow Wild areas will increase over time based on wildlife monitoring and feedback from the surveys.

FAQs

Which sites are being considered?

We're looking at improving biodiversity at all our maintained open spaces while ensuring that there's minimal impact on amenity areas such as sports pitches, formal and informal play areas, picnic areas, event spaces and paths for active recreation. Our Grounds Maintenance teams will be recommending sites based on their knowledge of suitable areas. If you have any recommendations, please do not hesitate to let us know using our Grow Wild grassland management survey (opens new window).

During 2025 we'll be extending our Grow Wild approach to all areas across the Perth and Kinross area, from Blair Atholl to Keltybridge, from Invergowrie to St Fillans.

What if I don't like the way the grass is being cut near me?

Our open spaces are for everyone to enjoy so it's important that all views are taken into consideration, however, in order to ensure we are doing the best we can for both climate change and the community, changes to maintenance must be implemented. We will shortly be providing an online survey to allow everyone to share their feedback on the Grow Wild initiative and suggest additional sites. We will regularly review the survey responses to look for new ideas which we can implement within each site.

Is Grow Wild a cost saving method?

The grassland management trials which we carried out between 2021 and 2024 have already demonstrated that reduced grass cutting can help reduce carbon emissions, provide more biodiverse and interesting open spaces which can improve physical and mental wellbeing, whilst also reducing maintenance costs. Using the results from previous wildlife monitoring carried out by volunteers at the trial sites, our Biodiversity Officer produced a discussion paper (PDF, 7 MB) which provides an in-depth look at the survey data collected.

How can I get involved?

There are many activities to get involved with, including bulb, wildflower and pollinator shrub planting. We also offer the opportunity to be trained in the use of our 'cut and lift' machinery which groups and communities can borrow to care for the biodiversity areas near them. There's also help and support available to guide and recommend best practice. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact communitygreenspace@pkc.gov.uk

If you're looking for an active community group in your area, please visit our Community Projects and Groups map which details the many groups within Perth and Kinross having a focus on climate change and our environment.

Will I be able to walk through Grow Wild areas?

Desire lines for paths will be cut through long grass areas in suitable places for people to enjoy walking, exercise and nature which improves mental health and quality of life. We will ensure these areas do not hinder the accessibility of our greenspaces. If there aren't any suitable pathways within an area of interest to you, please note this during the survey to allow us to make the necessary changes.

Will the Grow Wild areas attract litter and hide dog fouling?

We'll continue to manage litter within the Environmental Protection Act, however, if you notice any litter building up please report this via our website.

In accordance with current legislation dog owners are responsible for cleaning-up after their pets. Where serious issues of dog fouling are reported we will ensure that they are investigated by the relevant Council service. We also hope that by creating wide foot paths through the grass and circulation areas that pet owners will be able to see what their pets are doing and ensure they remove any dog waste.

Will the Grow Wild areas increase the risk of ticks?

The apparent increase in incidences of ticks across Scotland is partly due to milder winters and they can be found anywhere from woodland and moorland to parks and gardens. Most tick bites are harmless because only a small proportion of ticks are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. If the tick is detected early, it's very unlikely to transmit the bacteria. Lyme disease can also be treated effectively if detected early.

Nationally, the Scottish Government recognises the physical and mental health benefits of being outdoors and is aiming to get more people outside. Please be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourselves. If you would like further information about ticks and how to remove them, please see the link for NHS guidance (opens new window).

Will invasive species be left to grow within these areas?

In accordance with SEPA guidance (opens new window) all notifiable invasive weed species will be managed.

2021 and 2022 grassland management trials

Our alternative grassland management trials began in 2021 at a limited number of sites, this list was further extended as we developed our 'Managed for Wildlife' campaign in 2022.

Last modified on 08 April 2025

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