The council will reduce the amount of verges being trimmed in Dorset to benefit local wildlife.

The ‘Love Your Verge’ campaign acknowledges roadside verges in Dorset as safe spaces for wildlife.

This year, the campaign will encourage drivers to make space for nature with colourful artwork that characterises the importance of verges for protecting wildlife.

This forms part of the ‘30 by 30’ Government initiative to turn 30 per cent of land and oceans into protected areas by 2030.

Each county has been challenged by the government to prepare a Local Nature Recovery Strategy and these strategies will eventually be brought together to form a national recovery network for nature.

Greenspace manager at Dorset Council, Russell Goff, said: “Pollinators are essential for helping plants and crops to grow, and the loss of natural habitats is a major threat to them.”

“Safety remains our top priority,” he added. “Our approach must strike a balance between cutting verges regularly for visibility and working to enhance Dorset’s natural environment.”

The council has also reduced verge cutting so flowers can complete their natural cycles and pollinators can contribute to a more resilient ecosystem.

Over 245 people recently attended a number of action plan meetings about nature in Dorset, which allowed farmers and landowners to become involved in the conversation.

The main aim is for The Wildlife Trust to recognise more verges as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), which over a thousand sites in Dorset have already been recognised as.

The programme has also introduced ‘cut and collect mowing’, a technique to slow grass growth and create a better environment for wildflowers.

Dorset Council Climate and Environment Lead, Nick Ireland, has focused on increasing biodiversity since his recent appointment to his role.

He said: “We recognise the climate emergency is closely connected with the nature crisis, so taking steps to restore nature now can help to tackle the climate crisis later.”

The council are prioritising the protection of wild birds and animals with the removal of litter as well as the careful trimming of verges.

Residents are being encouraged to visit the council website to keep in touch with how verges are being managed to support both road users and local wildlife.