NMM 2024

If it doesn’t stop raining they won’t be able to mow, when is Spring coming?

We are currently at North York Moors Club Site. They could moor boats on some of the pitches at the moment it’s that wet😱 Advice from staff not to venture a wheel onto grass areas is being followed to the letter. It’s been very peaceful to be honest, haven’t heard a tractor unit once during our stay. 

NMM, simply more virtue signalling by organisations jumping on the ridiculous ESG bandwagons being foisted on business.  It will soon stand for ‘no more money’ because we have gone bust virtue signalling instead of profit signalling. Go woke, go broke as lots of organisations will eventually find out. 

Interestingly I’ve just read an article from our local authority which highlights the advantages of No Mow May. In it they highlight that the initiative is not about a total abstinence from mowing but a recognition of how thoughtful management can be of value to all of us and nature.

They recognise that road safety is a priority and those areas which can be left unmown during May have now been identified.  They also recognise that mowing will continue in areas where necessary including the likes of junctions or bends with road signage being maintained clearly visible. Furthermore, they point out that swathes of grassland, parkland, sports fields and recreational areas will be mowed recognising that creatures demand different habitats. Examples being Starlings, thrushes, blackbirds and wagtails which prefer short grass like lawns and heavily grazed meadows where similarly insects like the cranefly  (larva-leatherjackets) and others prefer that shorter cut. It’s all about balance and recognising and finding a way of propagating a range of natural healthy habits which, in my view should continue to underpin this ‘growing’ initiative.

My farming neighbour has decided not to mow the big meadow beside the river in May. He put out a dozen heifers as soon as things dried up in April and they have done the job instead. 

Absolutely eurotraveller, several Nature reserves are also employing this technique to enhance their habitats. In doing this some are also helping to protect old breeds of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. Win, win!

https://www.ywt.org.uk/blog/david-craven/how-grazing-cattle-help-maintain-yorkshires-nature-reserves#:~:text=Cattle%20graze%20by%20using%20their,wildflowers%20to%20seed%20and%20germinate.

So it’s arrived and apparently thousands of us up and down the country will be setting aside an increasing amount of our grass to benefit nature and, ultimately, us. It doesn’t mean a total abstention, just a bit of thoughtful adaptation. Set to it folk!🦗🦋🐦‍⬛