Latest news with #NoMowMay
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Louth County Council asked to improve maintenance at Navvy Bank
Cllr. Robert Nash highlighted the Navvy Bank, a scenic walkway along Dundalk Bay, which is a favourite of walkers, runners, sight-seeing visitors and dog walkers. Speaking at the monthly meeting of Louth County Council, he said; "I am always championing the Navvy Bank as a great amenity in town, but I was down there last week, and the maintenance of it is really poor.' He added: 'There is a facility there for parking but it needs to be better developed. We need to put in a proper car park there. No Mow May hasn't helped either, because it is overgrown the whole time.' He called on the council to look at the maintenance of the amenity over the coming months.
Irish Independent
01-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Wexford students celebrated for biodiversity artwork at awards ceremony
The artwork competition is an initiative run by the Environment Section of Wexford County Council in conjunction with Wexford Naturalists' Field Club and the theme of this year's competition was 'Bumblebees, Solitary Bees and Honeybee – Nature's Pollinators.' Councillor Ger Carthy, Leas – Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, presented prizes to 40 school children representing both primary and secondary schools. Councillor Ger Carthy said: 'The aim of the competition was to raise awareness of the importance of Wexford's environment and to encourage all to explore its uniqueness as something to be valued and cherished. Wexford County Council is preparing a new Local Biodiversity Action Plan, supported by the Heritage Council." "The plan will provide a framework for biodiversity action for the next six years with the aim of halting biodiversity loss in County Wexford. It will be underpinned by the objectives of the National Biodiversity Action Plan and will set a vision for addressing biodiversity loss at a local level. An emphasis will be placed on actions that are achievable and measurable within the lifetime of the plan.' He encouraged all to take local action for biodiversity, whether it's getting involved in the many campaigns like 'Let Dandelions Bee,' 'No Mow May,' 'Let It Bloom June,' or by planting native pollinator trees, pollinator friendly bulbs and plants. "We all have a role to play in learning more about biodiversity and protecting the natural heritage of Wexford. The artwork displayed here today reminds, us all to look after our environment, a precious legacy for generations to come,' he added. He thanked Don Conroy for providing the colouring sheet and judging the artwork competition. He also thanked Wexford Naturalists' Field Club for supporting the competition and sponsoring birdboxes and he praised the young artists present and encouraged them to maintain a healthy respect for the environment as part of their lives. The overall winner from Primary Schools was Alice Buki Nemeth, Glynn National School and the overall winner from Secondary Schools was Leon Carthy of Selskar College Wexford. The winning artwork was displayed in County Hall. Prizes were also presented for the Snap into Action Competition, which is open to both schools and community groups. This competition encourages people from all walks of life to take action against litter. Danescastle National School received first prize in the Snap Into Action School Competition and received a prize for €500. Kilmyshall National School and Ballyoughter National School were presented with runner up award of €250. Enniscorthy Tidy Towns were the winners in the Snap Into Action Community Group Competition and received a prize of €500. Campile Area Development Group and Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns were presented with runner up award of €250. Councillor Ger Carthy congratulated all involved and praised the groups for all their voluntary work in Keeping Wexford Beautiful. Full list of artwork winners: Junior Infants: 1st prize: Ava Andrew, St Leonards National School, Ballycullane 2nd prize: Tuiren Doyle, Ballyduff National School 3rd prize: Julia Whelan, Ballyduff National School Highly Commended: Sariad Holmes, St Kevin's National School, Tara Hill Highly Commended: Tess Devereux, Piercestown National School Senior infants: 1st prize: Elena Caffery, Scoil Naomh Bríde 2nd prize: Amy O'Keeffe, St Leonards National School, Ballycullane Highly Commended: Eva Flynn, Rathnure National School Highly Commended: Cian McHale, Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns First and Second class: 1st prize: Kallum Hennessy, Greene Kilmore National School Joint 2nd prize: James Kahwati, Glynn National School Joint 2nd prize: Arthur James, Danescastle National School Joint 3rd prize: Saoirse Egan, Gusserane National School Joint 3rd prize:Shayna Walsh, Glynn National School Third and Fourth class: 1st prize: Ella Roche, Kilmore National School 2nd prize: Faye Bernadette Murphy, Kilmore National School Joint 3rd prize: Ella Tobin, Scoil Ghormáin Naofa ,Castletown Joint 3rd prize: Hanna Doyle, Ballyduff National School Highly Commended: Dillon O'Neill, St Kevin's National School, Tara Hill Fifth and Sixth class: 1st prize: Hanna Violet Walsh, Kennedy Park National School Joint 2nd: Rachael Gahan, Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns Joint 2nd: Cathal Bowe, Ballyduff National School 3rd prize: Addison O' Leary, Scoil Naomh Bríde, Blackwater Highly Commended: Mila Barry Mythen, Kilmore National School First year – Third year: 1st prize: Conan Kelly, St Peters College, Wexford 2nd prize: Shara Alcock ,Selskar College, Wexford Joint 3rd prize: Krisztina Barta, Selskar College, Wexford Joint 3rd prize: Lucy Salisbury, Kennedy College, New Ross Highly Commended: Logan Murray, St Peters College, Wexford Fourth year – Sixth year: 1st prize: James Furlong, St Peters College Joint 2nd: Niamh O'Connor, Kennedy College, New Ross Joint 2nd: Cormac Deane, St Peters College, Wexford 3rd: Darragh Sherlock, St Peters College, Wexford Highly Commended: Luke Burke Kennedy College, New Ross Overall Winner Primary School: Alice Buki Nemeth, Glynn National School Overall Winner Secondary School: Leon Carthy, Selskar College Snap Into Action Primary School Winners: Winner: Danescastle National School Runner Up: Ballyoughter National School Runner Up: Kilmyshall National School Snap Into Action Community Group Winners: Winner: Enniscorthy Tidy Towns
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ditching the lawnmower may have unexpected health benefits, according to experts
As more homeowners embrace the trend of "Let It Bloom June" — a natural successor to the popular "No Mow May" movement — there is growing momentum on social media in support of wild lawns. While these campaigns were launched to support pollinators and biodiversity, some experts claim that skipping the mower could actually be good for your health. Mowing, raking, digging and lifting might seem like harmless weekend chores, but according to Dr. Michael Policastro, a board-certified emergency physician and medical toxicologist in Cincinnati, Ohio, they can be physically taxing. Beach Days Benefit Mental Health And Well-being As Visits Provide 'Sea Therapy' "Lawn and garden work is physically demanding and can lead to muscle strains, back pain and joint injuries," Policastro told Fox News Digital. The repetitive motions, awkward postures and sometimes heavy loads involved in yard work can strain the body in ways that accumulate over time, the doctor cautioned. Read On The Fox News App Even the act of pushing a lawnmower may not be as harmless as it looks. "Vibrations from lawnmowers can strain your lower back, and poor posture while pushing or steering equipment can lead to pain in your back, knees and wrists," Policastro noted. Anti-aging Benefits Linked To One Surprising Health Habit Failing to warm up or stretch before tackling the lawn only raises the risk of fatigue or injury, which can result in chronic pain over time. Chemical pesticides and herbicides involved in lawn care can carry their own set of risks, especially when airborne, Policastro cautioned. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "Pesticide sprays can also drift in the air, making it easy to breathe in harmful chemicals without realizing it," he said. There could be a psychological upside to ditching the mower and embracing a natural yard. Several mental health professionals agreed that lively, unmanicured spaces can foster mindfulness and well-being. "Being in a green, natural environment can promote mindfulness and a sense of calm," Greg Adelstein, a licensed mental health counselor and owner of Ellie Mental Health Clinic in Hollywood, Florida, told Fox News Digital. "It also provides a sense of accomplishment and purpose, which can boost self-esteem." Letting nature reclaim the yard could also mean fewer chemicals and health hazards, some experts say. Pain Could Be Reduced By Watching Nature Scenes, New Study Suggests Fox News Digital previously reported on a study that linked exposure to nature with a reduction in people's experience of pain. This suggests the potential health benefits of a more natural lawn that promotes everyday access to wild plants and animals. Natural lawns and gardens can also help combat loneliness by encouraging community engagement through shared gardening or conservation efforts, according to Elena Saldamando, a licensed clinical social worker and director of Ellie Mental Health Clinic in Avalon Park, Florida. Despite the potential risks, tending to a lawn can present some benefits when done safely, experts say. "Gardening promotes mindfulness and can lower cortisol levels, helping you feel calmer," Saldamando told Fox News Digital. "Watching how the light hits a leaf, listening to birds chirp, feeling soil and dirt in your hands, smelling the flowers and seeing vegetables grow can be very grounding." To reduce the physical strain of mowing and other yard work, Policastro recommended taking regular breaks, using ergonomic tools and maintaining proper posture. For more Health articles, visit It's also important to work in a well-ventilated area and to wear a mask or respirator when handling dusty materials or applying chemicals, according to the article source: Ditching the lawnmower may have unexpected health benefits, according to experts
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners with patchy lawns should do this 'regularly' to stop it dying
Gardening experts are advising people to complete this task 'regularly' during the summer time to ensure fresh growth, as temperatures are set to rise in the upcoming weeks Gardeners struggling to keep their lawns looking green and luscious have been advised to do one thing in June. With summer fast approaching and the temperatures getting warmer and warmer, many of us will be spending quite some time in our gardens. Therefore, gardening tasks have become more important - and there's something you must do to prevent your lawn from drying out completely. With the month of May coming to an end, as well as the 'No Mow May' initiative, gardeners will have to take care of their gardens, now more than ever, to ensure that their grass is looking healthier and thicker before the summer arrives. The 'No Mow May' campaign, started by Plantlife, encouraged gardeners to refrain from moving their lawns throughout the entire month. The whole purpose was to boost biodiversity by allowing wild flowers and plants to grow and fully bloom, as well as providing food and shelter to other wildlife. As shared by gardening expert Fiona Jenkins from My Job Quote, there are a few tips and tricks that will help gardeners ensure that their outdoor spaces are looking greener than ever before. She explained: 'Regular mowing encourages grass to grow through a process known as the 'stimulation effect'. The principle works much the same as how we are advised to get our hair trimmed regularly to enable it to grow faster!' 'When you mow your lawn consistently to a good height you are removing the top portion of the grass blades, which prompts it to produce new shoots and leaves to compensate, resulting in a denser turf. It also has the additional benefit of removing any weeds which may be stealing sunlight, nutrients, and water from your grass.' By regularly mowing the lawn during the summertime, it can prevent it from drying out. However, it's important to adjust the height and frequency, as the job might do otherwise, and affect the growth and overall health of the lawn. The great thing about gardening is that you don't need a lot of expertise but just some interest to keep your outdoor space as tidy and organised as possible. Just in time for the best season of the year, when temperatures are hotter, and there's an excuse to gather all of your loved ones by hosting a barbecue or a simple get together.
Rhyl Journal
31-05-2025
- General
- Rhyl Journal
'No Mow May' initiative could be extended across Wales
The proposal aims to reverse decades of habitat loss by altering the management of road verges and green spaces. Carolyn Thomas, MS, has highlighted the potential environmental benefits of this change, suggesting that the verges could become natural wildlife corridors. She said: "Adopting new approaches to grassland management allows us to give biodiversity a boost while continuing to meet the needs of our communities. "By treating road verges as wildlife corridors, we can combat the nature and climate crisis." The roadside verges across Wales cover an estimated 15,000 hectares – approximately the size of Swansea. With careful management, this area could become one of Wales' most extensive networks of wildflower-rich grasslands. These efforts are deemed crucial, given the estimated decline of more than 90 percent of lowland semi-natural grassland in Wales between the 1930s and 1990s. Denbighshire County Council is a model of this approach, with their project treating verges and urban green spaces as wildflower meadows. The council collects seeds from these sites and grows native plants in their nursery, ensuring that all new planting is locally sourced and ecologically sound. The roadside verges across Wales cover an estimated 15,000 hectares (Image: Supplied) The number of species increased from around 40 to 120 after just four years of management. However, only a few councils in Wales have committed to 'No Mow May' this year. Mark Schofield, road verges and green spaces advisor at Plantlife, said: "There may be reasons some local authorities feel compelled to mow in May, but if we're serious about restoring native wildflowers, we need to move from short-term tidy-ups to long-term transformation. "No Mow May is a great place to start — but leaving some open space unmown for longer can support the lifecycles of a huge diversity of wildlife that depend on less disturbed wildflower-rich grassland." The campaign is also encouraging individuals to reduce mowing in their gardens. Ms Thomas said: "We're encouraging more people across Wales to help and connect with wildlife in their gardens by letting the wildflowers grow and being part of the No Mow Movement, starting in May and continuing through the summer." Around a third of people in Wales still mow their own lawns twice a month during the summer. Plantlife is urging more to join the movement and let nature lead, allowing 'No Mow May' to continue into June.
