Collaboration

Protecting Bees and Pollinators

Maidstone Borough Council support  the Kent & Medway Local Nature Recovery 'Plan Bee'.  For a list of actions you can take to  support bees and pollinators, including events you can participate in, please see 'How You Can Help'.  To learn more about  invasive species such as Asian Hornets, and to apply for a free trap, please see 'Protect Our Pollinators'. Please remember, if you use a trap, ensure the area is clear of native species, as trapping is indiscriminate and may inadvertently trap our native pollinators. Please follow all instructions closely.

Supporting Critically Endangered Species

Maidstone Borough Council has partnered with The Species Recovery Trust on a major biodiversity initiative to restore two of the UK’s rarest plants – Dwarf Milkwort (Polygala amarella subsp. austriaca) and Field Eryngo (Eryngium campestre) – within the Borough. Their survival depends on open chalk grassland – a habitat of international importance that has suffered severe decline.

Both species are critically endangered in Britain. Dwarf Milkwort now survives at only two native sites, and remains highly vulnerable to extinction.

The Field Eryngo is confined to just seven locations nationwide, three of which are in Kent, including one in Maidstone Borough. Historically, these plants were present in Maidstone at Purple Hill and Bredhurst.

Both species rely on diverse, well-maintained chalk grassland – a habitat that has declined significantly following the cessation of low-intensity grazing. This project not only focuses on these rare plants but also aims to restore and safeguard some of the most ecologically rich areas of chalk grassland in the region.

Baseline surveys in 2025 identified opportunities for habitat restoration at Purple Hill and Bredhurst, including scrub clearance and sward management. The partnership will support propagation and planting of Dwarf Milkwort and Field Eryngo over the next 5 years. This work will help to safeguard these incredibly rare plants and enhance biodiversity across Maidstone’s chalk grasslands, benefiting a wide range of wildlife. There is also a positive knock-on effect on other species, with direct benefit particularly for pollinators, including native bees, moths, and butterfly populations.

Bio Blitz

Maidstone Borough Council partnered with the Kent Field Club to deliver a Bioblitz at Mote Park. This started at 7pm on a Friday and continued through to til 5pm the following Saturday. Mote Park was a great venue, with its mix of wetland, scrub, meadows and veteran trees (with lots of dead wood).  Over 300 species were recorded, the largest research gathering of its kind in the area.

Dark Skies for Wildlife

Why Dark Skies Matter

Dark skies are more than just beautiful—they’re essential for the health of wildlife, ecosystems, and even people. In rural and semi-rural areas and surrounding Maidstone villages, preserving natural darkness helps:

Wildlife Thrive: Many species, including bats, moths, owls, and amphibians, rely on natural light cycles for feeding, mating, and migration. Artificial light disrupts these behaviours, leading to population declines

Ecosystems Stay Balanced: Light pollution can alter predator-prey dynamics and plant growth patterns, affecting entire ecosystems.

Human Wellbeing: Exposure to natural darkness supports better sleep and mental health, and fosters a deeper connection with nature.

Stargazing & Heritage: Dark skies offer opportunities for astronomy and preserve the rural character and cultural heritage of Kent’s countryside.

How You Can Help: Smart Lighting Actions

Whether you're upgrading outdoor lighting or simply adjusting existing fixtures, small changes can make a big difference:

Use Light Only When Needed

• Install motion sensors or timers to reduce unnecessary lighting.
• Turn off garden and driveway lights overnight.

Choose Wildlife-Friendly Fixtures

• Use fully shielded lights that direct light downward.
• Avoid upward-facing lights that cause skyglow.

Select Warm, Low-Intensity Bulbs

• Opt for bulbs with a colour temperature below 3000K (warm white).
• Use the lowest brightness necessary for safety.

Prevent Light Spill

• Ensure lights don’t shine into neighbouring properties, hedgerows, or open countryside.
• Use baffles or shields to control light direction.

Support Local Initiatives

• Encourage your local Parish and developers to adopt dark sky-friendly policies.
• Participate in community events like star parties or wildlife walks to raise awareness.Planning & Policy Notes

• Planning permission may be required for certain lighting installations—check with Maidstone Borough Council.
• The Cotswolds National Landscape and South Downs National Park offer excellent guidance on lighting design for dark sky protection

Balancing Safety and Security with Dark Skies for Wildlife

While outdoor lighting is often essential for human safety and security, excessive or poorly designed lighting can disrupt nocturnal wildlife, interfere with natural behaviours, and degrade ecosystems. A balanced approach involves using wildlife-friendly lighting strategies, such as:

• Directional lighting that minimises light spill into natural habitats.
• Low-intensity, warm-coloured lights that reduce ecological impact.
• Motion-activated lighting to limit constant illumination.
• Curfews or dimming schedules in sensitive areas to preserve dark skies during peak wildlife activity.

By integrating these principles, we can maintain safe environments for people while protecting the nocturnal rhythms vital to biodiversity.

Community Composting

We recently procured 21 x 200 litre hot composting bin kits. These have been promoted throughout the community for distribution to groups, schools, gardening groups and businesses. They have been very popular and we will be providing updates here shortly on how the composters and wonderful compost has been used.

We are also launching community composting workshops in partnership with Communigrow, which will offer residents opportunities for half-day sessions at the Communigrow HQ to learn about the full life cycle and process of composting.

Find out more on Eventbrite

Other

In line with our commitments to 'A15 partner with other agencies, landowners, specialist organisations, and groups to identify opportunities for rewilding, flood protection, and habitat restoration projects and to share knowledge and expertise to deliver them, we have facilitated and promoted community volunteer events, including:

• Our COVID tree memorial (633 trees planted in memory of Maidstone residents who lost their lives to COVID-19)
• Platinum Meadow Tree Audit (approximately 2,000 tree species tagged and mapped)
• the Foley Park Corporate Team event for National Tree Planting Week

For 'B12 work in partnership to deliver local projects focused on climate mitigation in the Borough', we:

• have steadily increased our subscriber base to our biodiversity and climate change newsletter
• regularly share tips, insights, and educational material on green skills in the business newsletter
• exhibit at events such as the Golding Homes community event

To justify 'B13 identify flood plain restoration projects and opportunities to slow river flow, and work with partner agencies to secure funding for implementation', we have:

• engaged partner agencies and discussions are in progress.