Louth County Council to take part in No Mow May

Louth County Council is to engage with the No Mow May campaign, councillors were told at the Louth County Council April meeting.

The matter was raised by Cllr John Sheridan, who had asked for the Councils new biodiversity officer to give a monthly update in the Chief Executives report.

No Mow May is a campaign which seeks to help increase biodiversity at a time when pollinating insects are in sharp decline.

Cllr Sheridan was told in response that recruitment for the new biodiversity officer was ongoing, and that when the new officer was in position a monthly report would be given to councillors. The Director of Services also said that the Council would be taking part in No Mow May and the new role may reach out to promote the concept in coming years.

In comments to the Dundalk Democrat after the meeting, Cllr Sheridan said, “I had asked was no mow may being prioritised this year and that a biodiversity officer was perhaps ideal to reach out to owners of grass, public or private, to not cut the grass in May.

“As we all know, bees are under serious threat. They provide invaluable work pollenating flowers, plants and fruit and we need to give bees and other pollinators every chance annually. 

“Research from Trinity College into pollinators in urban areas suggests that allowing grass to grow can be just as effective as full wildflower plantations in urban areas and this obviously supports our bees. So having no grass cutting in May can be a serious boost to the native Irish honey bee.”

“I'm also calling on councillors to 'pledge their garden' for No Mow May this year with Biodiversity Ireland.”

Cllr Sheridan also revealed, “I was very disappointed to speak to one public body, not the county council who has responsibility for large amounts of grass in the county that are not sporting related.

“The response was that the grass was too good to let grow wild and that not cutting it would be a fire risk. I will be writing to that state body asking for this to be reviewed.”