Curo has been recognised in the 2023 Bee Bold Awards: a unique competition that showcases West of England groups taking positive steps to support pollinators.
We received the Bee Bold Space for Nature award for our work with local communities to provide more wildflowers and food for pollinators.
Curo Director of Estates Services, Carl McMurtry, said: “We’re very excited to receive this award. We first rolled out No Mow May across our estates in 2021 and last year we took this one step further by signing up to the Nothing for Nature scheme, leaving 30 Curo sites to rewild beyond May. We’ve since seen a big increase in the number of wildflowers bringing more food for pollinators.
“It's been important to work with local communities where we are leaving areas uncut so everyone understands why we’re doing this. We put signs up explaining what’s happening and many residents have got in touch to say how much they value this nature-first approach.”
Video: Carl McMurtry explains why we're making space for nature at Curo.
One resident told Curo:
"I was so delighted to see the areas of unmown grass on Mountain Wood in Bathford, plus your sign to explain what you are doing. It will make such a valuable contribution to wildlife. Just across the road from the sign I spotted this orchid. I'm sure there are many more. Well done!"
Carl continued: “We plan to continue this approach every year, cutting and collecting at these sites just once a year in September. Doing this early autumn cut-and-collect will encourage more wildflowers to grow the following year.”
West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris brought together local residents, companies and community groups to award the 2023 Bee Bold Awards at Hartcliffe's Heart of BS13 as part of its ‘Nature Family Fun Day'. The Space for Nature award was presented to groups that have created the best gardens or pollinator spaces within their workplaces, or local area.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “Pollinators matter – in terms of helping flowers grow, but also in ensuring we can have the delicious West of England produce we’re renowned for, not to mention keeping our precious countryside and other green spaces maintained and cared for.
“I hope these award winners inspire others to take steps to support our pollinators as well, no matter how small they seem. So, whether it be throwing away those bee-harming pesticides or taking part in things like No Mow May, I urge locals to help me make our amazing West of England region the best place in the whole country for the West of England’s bee and pollinator friends.”
The unique West of England competition celebrates the amazing bee buddy groups across the West who have gone above and beyond to look after the region’s busy bugs through actions like creating a blossoming community patch or nature-friendly allotments - and everything in between.
The Bee Bold Awards are part of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority's wider work to make the West the Bee and Pollinator Capital of the UK.
Find out more about Curo’s wildlife-friendly approach to grounds maintenance here.
Pictured, left-right: Sophie Spencer, West of England Combined Authority Senior Manager Nature Recovery; Carl McMurtry, Curo Director of Estates Services; and Metro Mayor Dan Norris.