Monmouth residents are being invited to make a little space for nature as a new project launches to create a network of wildflower patches across the town. The Wildflower Pollinator Patches project, from Action on Climate Emergency Monmouth (ACE) and Monmouth Town Council, will provide free locally sourced native wildflower seeds to help people create their own small patches for pollinators and other wildlife.

Residents in the NP25 area can now sign up online to receive a packet of seeds and find out more about creating their own Pollinator Patch: https://www.acemonmouth.org/wildflowers/

The season to plant them is now and the potential impact of lots of small patches can be significant. If just 10% of the UK's domestic garden space were given over to wildlife, it would create an area of habitat almost twice the size of Britain's largest National Nature Reserve.1

The Wildflower Pollinator Patches project is about bringing the idea to Monmouth – encouraging people to make space for nature wherever they can and creating a network of pollinator patches that can benefit biodiversity and bees at scale across town!

The seed mix, generously donated by Wye Valley AONB, has been locally collected from wildflower-rich meadows and contains a mixture of native wildflower and grass seeds. Each packet contains enough seed to create a patch of up to 4m², but a patch doesn't need to be a particular size to make a difference. It could be part of a garden or lawn, a planter or another suitable outdoor space.

Schools, community groups and other organisations are also encouraged to get involved, creating opportunities for people to learn about local wildlife and take practical action for nature. Monmouth has a history of taking action for pollinators, having been named the UK's first Bee Town in 2020. The new project builds on that legacy by inviting residents, schools and community groups to create their own spaces for nature.

Overmonnow Town Councillor Sarah James, who has been collaborating on the project says “We’re delighted to see the project launch, no matter where you are with your wildlife gardening– there’s something everybody can do to create their own local Wildflower Pollinator Patch”

The project will also feature at the upcoming Green Libraries Week event at Monmouth Library on 24th October at 10am, where people will be able to find out more about Pollinator Patches and collect seeds as well as take part in numerous other nature friendly activities.

To sign up for a Wildflower Pollinator Patch or find out how your school or community group can get involved, visit: https://www.acemonmouth.org/wildflowers