This page shares the work that Thornbury Town Council is doing to support wildlife and nature on its sites.
Thornbury Town Council is working hard across its outdoor spaces to balance the needs of people and nature. Since 2022, we have encouraged wildlife onto our sites by:
After our record hot summer in 2026, Thornbury Town Council is working with Thornbury in Bloom and local partners to find opportunities for rainwater...
A field adjacent to the existing cemetery was purchased by Thornbury Town Council, originally with a view to extending the existing burial ground. How...
At the Mundy Playing Fields, we have taken several steps to encourage biodiversity and enhance the park for people and wildlife.
We have three main areas of wildflower planting; two in Poulterbrook Field and one at the top of the Mundy Playing Fields. We are managing these areas in line with traditional meadow management, by long cutting the area over the winter months and stopping cutting in the spring. At the end of the summer we cut the areas and take away the clippings to stop the soil becoming overly rich.
The seeds we have used area a native mix of perennials that, if managed carefully, should come back year after year. We have also planted yellow rattle, which helps to kick start new meadows by predating on thick grasses that can crowd out more delicate species.
We also leave several areas of longer grass at the Mundy's, notably on the slopes leading to the stream, where a rare type of clover has been spotted.
Finally, we have a line of native hedging which is taking nicely.
We regularly review our approach to management of the Mundy's to ensure it continues to serve the people of Thornbury, whilst also supporting nature.
Cemeteries, as areas of land that have often escaped the attention of modern, industrialised agriculture, can be havens for wildlife, and Thornbury Cemetery is no exception.
In the older area of the cemetery, to the rear and side of the chapel, we are adapting our management regime to allow the native wildflowers that are already there to thrive. This has allowed an abundance of birds foot trefoil, self-heal, cowslips, red clover and ox-eye daisy to flower. We still care carefully for the cemetery, the graves, and the human visitors who come to pay their respects here, but we are also seeking opportunities to give nature a helping hand in this beautiful spot.
Over the coming months, we will be installing homes for birds and bats, alongside the swift box already located on the Chapel. The Chapel also played host in 2026 to a brood of house martins, who successfully fledged their chicks.
Our new memorial woodland and wellbeing garden, which will be created adjacent to the existing cemetery, will also give more opportunities for people and nature to thrive (see the projects section above).
St Mary's Churchyard is managed by volunteer group the Holy Mowers. The Mowers take care to balance the needs of people and wildlife, leaving some areas for wildflowers to thrive, whilst keeping others more closely mown.
The churchyard is a haven for wildlife, buzzing with pollinators and full of spring and summer colour. The snowdrops are a particular treat, offering a splash of brightness in the darkest months.
Across our remaining sites, we are also seeking out opportunities to enhance wildlife habitats. For example,
We also work with our neighbours, fellow local authorities, and community groups such as Thornbury in Bloom, the Thornbury Litterbusters, and Thornbury Community Orchard, to enhance the environment across the town.
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