Curtis Wood

When trees are cut down, wood is stacked and used for habitat log piles, and also recycled into wood chip mulch. Hedge layering is being encouraged to reinvigorate these wildlife corridors, and to make them more effective in supporting biodiversity.

In terms of raising awareness, a range of leaflets are published covering heritage, biodiversity and events. These are constantly reviewed and added to as required. Bird and bat boxes and wildflower seeds are being encouraged.

Green gardening

The council's biodiversity working group examine ways of both enhancing and reducing its impact on the environment. On some roundabouts bedding displays have been changed to wildflower mixes, to enhance biodiversity, create something different to look at and to use less invasive maintenance methods.

The council's planting policy is changing to encourage the use of insect, and in particular, butterfly attracting plants. Similarly grass-cutting regimes have been reviewed to encourage wildflower meadows, where appropriate. Also the amount of native trees to be planted will be increased where appropriate.

Looking after the environment

A biodiversity group has been formed to consider ways of reducing the impact of activities on the environment, and ways of improving environmental performance. The mulching scheme is being extended and includes mulching of Christmas trees and a spring bark mulch giveaway, which took place on 8 May this year. At this event, people from the Herne Bay In Bloom committee were on hand to give gardening advice.

Most local primary and secondary schools take part in the council's recycling scheme. This year Herne Bay Infants started an awareness campaign for controlling dog mess. The street inspection team regularly check all the street furniture for defects and ensure that remedial action is carried out in a timely fashion. Similarly any vandalism, graffiti and persistent dog fouling are dealt with.

The city council has a two-man graffiti hit squad that is available during the normal working week, and responds to offensive graffiti out of normal working hours. The graffiti is treated with a special acid and then removed with grey water. Grey water is also used to remove chewing gum from pedestrian areas.

The Clean Kent Team initiative continues and is proving to be a popular and worthwhile initiative. This is a joint venture between a range of partners including the city and county councils, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue and shared between the neighbouring district councils of Thanet, Dover and Shepway. The team's remit is to improve the local environment for the benefit of residents and visitors. They undertake a wide variety of work including fence painting, cleaning memorials, disposing of fly-tipping and tidying up neglected areas such as ponds and ditches. The team is co-ordinated by the city council as the lead authority.

The probation service and Youth Offenders Team provide labour from individuals carrying community payback, and is a very successful exercise.

The city council also provides a fortnightly garden waste collection service, with householders either having a green bin or reusable garden sack. Once collected the green waste is taken to a local composting unit, processed and sold on to landscape gardeners in bulk, or made available to the general public at recycling centres in Herne Bay and Canterbury at a cost of £2.50 per 50 litre bag.

Wildlife gardening

The importance of wildlife corridors is recognised, and the council is changing its maintenance regimes to encourage wildlife reserves on appropriate roadside verges, hedges, and grass areas, in accordance with the Natural Environment and Communities Act (NERC).

The city council continues to work with Kent County Council and Kent Wildlife Trust in producing information packs on gardening for wildlife. Additionally there is a Gardening for Wildlife Award scheme sponsored by Mid Kent Water. To encourage wildlife, the City Council is changing its planting policy to make sure that bird and insect attracting plants are used wherever possible.

Natural burials at Herne Cemetery a copse, glade and meadow area have been created to provide a natural environment to lay to rest loved ones and also enhance the biodiversity interest in the cemetery. Not only has a tranquil setting been creating for contemplation, taking on board stunning views across the district; but also habitats for wild flowers, wild grasses, birds, insects and small mammals.