August: Supporting Pollinators and Wildlife

Late summer is a crucial time for our meadows and grasslands. Areas of longer grass have been carefully managed throughout the season to support bees, butterflies and other pollinators, helping to create connected wildlife corridors known as B-Lines.

As wildflowers and grasses begin to set seed, we are now starting our annual meadow-cutting programme. Removing the cuttings helps keep soil nutrient levels low, creating the conditions needed for wildflowers and other important species to thrive year after year. Some areas will remain uncut until next year, providing valuable overwintering habitat for insects and creating a mosaic of habitats that support wildlife at different stages of their life cycles.

Across our sites, wildlife monitoring helps us understand how habitats are performing and identify opportunities for future improvements. You may also notice some areas looking a little “wilder” than usual. Deadwood, long grass and natural vegetation all provide important habitats for insects, birds, fungi and small mammals.

Take Part in the Big Butterfly Count

August is also a great time for residents to get involved in Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count by recording the species they spot in gardens, parks and local green spaces.

Butterflies are important indicators of environmental health, and the information collected helps conservation organisations understand how wildlife is responding to changing environmental conditions. Even a short walk can provide valuable data and help build a clearer picture of biodiversity across Mole Valley.

September: Planning for Nature Recovery

As the bird nesting season comes to an end, planning begins for autumn and winter conservation work.

This includes the preparation of new native tree, hedgerow and orchard planting schemes, helping to connect habitats and support local wildlife. Sustainable land management remains at the heart of our approach, with meadow creation, woodland management and habitat restoration all contributing to increased biodiversity across the district.

One of the major projects beginning this autumn is the restoration of Ashtead Park. This work will involve thinning younger trees in parts of the park to create space for more mature specimens to develop and to allow more sunlight to reach the ground. Increasing light levels will help restore and enhance species-rich grassland habitats.

The Parks Team will also be creating new ephemeral ponds at Woodfield, Ashtead. It is estimated that the UK has lost around half a million ponds over the last century, making pond creation an important tool for supporting biodiversity. These seasonal wetlands provide valuable habitat for a wide range of wildlife, and we will also be exploring opportunities to create additional wetland areas elsewhere in the district.

October: Preparing for Winter

Autumn is an important season for habitat restoration and management. Planned works may include woodland improvements, hedgerow restoration and the creation of new wildlife-friendly habitats across our open spaces.

We will also continue monitoring and controlling invasive non-native species, including rhododendron and Japanese knotweed, while identifying opportunities to improve ponds and wetland habitats that support amphibians, birds and insects.

Working Together for Nature

Mole Valley District Council manages 42 open spaces, 10 allotment sites and more than 305 hectares of land, including nine Sites of Nature Conservation Interest and three Local Nature Reserves.

Through our Biodiversity Strategy, we are focusing on six key themes:

• Habitat restoration and protection
• Sustainable land use
• Species conservation
• Water resource management
• Invasive species control
• Community engagement and education

We are proud to work alongside local partners including The Friends of Deepdene, The Lower Mole Project, Gatwick Greenspace Partnership, Dorking Men’s Shed and Dorking Museum to deliver biodiversity projects across the district.

The Council is also supporting nature recovery through its planning policies, requiring 20% Biodiversity Net Gain on qualifying developments, exceeding the national minimum requirement of 10%.

Get Involved

Nature recovery is something everyone can contribute to. Whether it’s leaving part of your garden wild for pollinators, planting native species, joining a volunteer session or simply taking notice of local wildlife, every action makes a difference.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities and conservation projects, please contact parks@molevalley.gov.uk.