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Use Roadside Verges to Support Wildlife

Surrey residents are helping to restore nature across the county by getting involved with The Blue Campaign, a way to nominate verges for management in a way that benefits wildlife.

In Surrey we have two types of designation for road verges that are important for nature. Healthy verges can host a huge variety of vegetation and wildflowers, and even a single species of plant like Birds-Foot Trefoil is food for over 130 different invertebrate species!

Blue Heart verges are nominated by members of the public, where improved management (for example fewer or better-timed grass cuts) could enhance nature. The best example of this in Surrey is the fantastic work done around Bookham through the Wildflower project, which has now seen a group of residents select and maintain over 60 verges with protecting wildlife in mind.

These are part of the national Blue Campaign, with communities across the country volunteering to protect these often-overlooked mini-habitats for wildlife and nature. Conservation Verges are verges identified by Surrey’s specialist interest groups and are designated for their demonstrable value, whether that is supporting rare plant species or the movement of local wildlife. In Surrey we have 84 Conservation Verges, 50 with botanical interest, 33 with toad crossings, and 5 with known protected amphibian/reptile species presence Our designated conservation verges and community-led Blue Hearts verges both have multiple benefits for Surrey wildlife and residents...

  • Verges act as key corridors for wildlife, as a way for native and rare plants to spread and for the movement and migration of insects and small animals.
  • Healthy verges not only look great, but can trap air pollutants from traffic to help prevent ill-health in communities.
  • They provide land managers with a greater awareness of important habitats in their control and are intended to target specialist management to ensure their protection for the future.
  • The Conservation Verge designation ensures that pocket populations of some of our rarest plants are recorded and monitored.
  • Blue Heart verges may not support rarer species but are key tools in engaging communities in positive conservation action and bring nature-friendly management practices into long-term highways plans.

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