Dorset council pledges to create Butterfly Friendly town
A town council has pledged to become the first official Butterfly Friendly town in the UK.
Gillingham Town Council in Dorset has signed up to Butterfly Conservation's nationwide challenge calling on all local authorities to help butterflies and moths.
The council already has a biodiversity action plan and manages parks with wildlife in mind, and now it has promised to improve access to green spaces and work to cut light pollution as well.
Town mayor Fiona Cullen said: "I am delighted that Gillingham Town Council has taken this important step. This pledge reflects our continued commitment to protecting and enhancing biodiversity across our town and ensuring our public open spaces support wildlife for future generations."
Gillingham is a historic market town halfway between Bristol and Bournemouth with a population of about 12,000. It is surrounded by farmland and three rivers run through the town.
In Butterfly Conservation's scheme, councils are invited to sign a pledge to take action in five ways:
- Create a biodiversity plan to save nature
- Improve and create places for butterflies and moths
- Ensure access to green spaces within 15 minutes’ walk
- Ending the use of pollinator-killing pesticides
- Taking light pollution seriously
Gillingham already has a biodiversity policy, a pollinator action plan and a biodiversity action plan written in consultation with Dorset Wildlife Trust.
The council also works with the wildlife trust and Gillingham Action for Nature Group to maintain green spaces with nature in mind. It does not use pesticides, and open spaces in the town have received nature-friendly Green Flag Awards.
The council is currently reviewing its neighbourhood plan and says it will look to improve access to green space and include a policy aiming to reduce light pollution where possible.
It is also hoping to create a special 'moon meadow' using Butterfly Conservation guidance - an area with dedicated planting for night-flying moths and other nocturnal creatures.
Town clerk Julie Hawkins said: "We are fortunate that many of Gillingham’s public open spaces are already rich in biodiversity and ecological interest. We are looking forward to creating moon meadows in suitable areas which will provide valuable shelter and food sources for moths and other nocturnal pollinators and help contribute towards Dorset’s nature recovery plan."
Gillingham's pledge comes hot on the heels of pledges by Cambridge and Lancaster last year to become Butterfly Friendly cities as part of Butterfly Conservation's scheme.
Pip Gray, Butterfly Conservation campaigns officer, said: "We are thrilled to see Gillingham Town Council becoming a Butterfly Friendly Council, and committing over the next three years to join in with the work that we know so many of their local residents are doing to save butterflies and moths.
"Nature needs help from all of us, and we can all play our part, whether it’s a plant pot with wildflowers on a resident’s doorstep, or adjustments to contractors' mowing allowing butterflies to shelter along road verges.
We’re excited to see our Butterfly Friendly network grow, giving our butterflies and moths the chance to recover and flourish after decades of declines."
Residents in Gillingham are encouraged to support the initiative by planting nectar-rich flowers, creating wildlife habitats at home and reducing pesticide use.
March 2026
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