WATER COMPANY CREATING A BUZZ WITH NEW DIVERSE GREEN SPACES
There's literally a buzz in the air at Essex & Suffolk Water, following the creation and enhancement of wildflower areas to help support pollinating insects that are in decline.
The drinking water provider is closely monitoring these wildflower areas, which have already shown promising signs of encouraging nature to thrive and has had 62 species of plants recorded at one site alone.
Essex & Suffolk Water has made changes to the frequency of grass cuts at some of its operational sites, which will help to make a positive impact on biodiversity and protecting valuable wildlife habitats that are under threat.
The utility company has a range of plants blooming across its sites - from beautiful wildflowers to orchids. A variety of bees and other invertebrates, such as butterflies and day-flying moths, are regularly spotted, along with various reptiles like snakes and lizards.
Miranda Cooper, Conservation and Land Manager at Essex & Suffolk Water, said: "We're delighted with the progress of the changes in our grassland management regime and are looking for further opportunities to expand this across more of our sites.
"These small changes are helping to make a big difference in providing important sources of nectar and pollen for insects, which are vital for pollinating many of the crops that we eat. It's fantastic that we are able to contribute in this way to ensure connected landscapes for our wildlife and to help reverse declines in biodiversity.
"It's amazing what can be achieved just by simply reducing the amount of times the grass is cut. It not only helps to create a pleasant workplace for our people, but creates an invaluable habitat for wildlife and helps to build a stronger resilience to climate change."
Essex & Suffolk Water, which is part of Northumbrian Water Group, has also created new meadow areas at its head office and implemented changes to its grass cutting regime across a number of its service reservoirs, water and wastewater treatment works through to areas of land around its reservoirs.
Notes to Editors: Northumbrian Water Limited supplies 2.7 million customers in the North East with both water and sewerage services, trading as Northumbrian Water, and 1.8 million customers in the South East with water services, trading as Essex & Suffolk Water.
In 2019, Northumbrian Water Group named the world's most ethical water company for the eighth time and were award 19th Best Place to Work in the Sunday Time Best Big Companies to Work For. Northumbrian Water was also named the number one place to work in the North East.
Abbey Road, Pity Me, Durham DH1 5FJ. Telephone 0345 6047468. Website: www.nwl.co.uk
