Our Wild Side

Recently the weather has been kind to us but complying with the Stay at Home 2km restriction and park closures has meant some local people were unable to access popular walking venues in Navan such as the Ramparts, Dalgan and Blackwater Parks and Balrath Woods.

Seeking exercise, fresh air and 'head space' whilst maintaining social distancing many have walked, jogged or cycled around our neighbouring estates. You may have now discovered new local walks through the IDA park, visited the River Boyne at Kilcarn Bridge and perhaps explored the local Athlumney Riverside Trail.

Wild about Johnstown

Many of us like to reconnect with nature, to submerge ourselves in the wilderness of wooded areas, stumbleupon colourful wildflowers, catch rare sightings of squirrels and butterflies, hear bird song, and even experience the simple pleasure of following an organic twisting dirt trail.

These can all be found within our neighborhood but they're still few and far between. If we choose to make a few changes we could easily see more of them within our Urban Environment. Our streets and open spaces could host more than grass and trees.

Some of the natural wildlife, flora and fauna seen locally in May

Period of Pause

The recent lockdown temporarily forced a dramatic change upon our environment and it simply happened because we were not there making an impact. For a rare moment there were very few cars and people around. It also meant that we now host swathes of daisy's, dandelions, buttercups, even clover and wild garlic appearing among our estate lawns. Have you noticed the flurry of dandelion seeds in the air? Bare soil will soon host thousands of these plants which is great news for pollinator insects.

A Brief Extension

Until May 18th, when restrictions may change, no garden landscaper should be cutting your lawns, open greens or parks. This is great for wildlife and insects but it also provides vibrance, interest and colour to our otherwise bland grassy areas. Biodiversity groups, environmentalists, pollinators and wildlife actually want to see this remain but can we persuade you to not only allow this but to encourage and make it happen?

Lots of Potential

Can we reintroduce wild flowering plants to encourage more butterflies, insects and birds back into our urban setting. We don't just mean pockets of planting like we have in our home gardens. We refer to the much bigger public spaces.

Johnstown Estates host more than 22 soccer pitches worth of grass lawns which are not used as football pitches or even play areas but we continue to cut them very short. Neat manicured lawns epitomize housing developers marketing brochures but they're costly to achieve and are we not sick of seeing just green grass?

Mapping from 2017 showing the grass lawns in Johnstown. It has increased with the Cois Glaisin and Dunville Estates. It doesn't include the kilometres of roadside verges.

Field opposite Kilcarn Bridge

lawn in The Priory

Johnstown People's Park

Verge in Bailis Downs

Can we change our habit of mowing grass lawns to within an inch of its life. They could be so much more colourful and interesting spaces.

Balance

Lawns do need cutting and shaping to keep them in check however we should not be aiming to create golf course putting greens. Since our lawns are established with grass seed and not wildflowers we do need to help Mother Nature.

Mowing Less Often

Examples of Change

These are currently few and far between but we're hoping you will play an active part and help make a difference. We could plant plugs of wildflowers, early flowering crocus or bulbs/seeds which add colour at different times throughout the year. But we do need to let them grow if we want to create something more impressive than dandelions and daisies.

Lawn in the Orchard Estate in March

Carne Hill in March

Vegre in Johnstown Wood

Where to Start?

Estate Groups

Contact your Residents Association / Estate Group to see if you can help create something more exciting and vibrant that's cheaper to maintain and more beneficial to the environment.

Johnstown Tidy Towns

The current emergency has paused group activities after organisers cancelled this years competition. The quiet time is still an opportunity to come up with ideas and to make plans. If you have suggestions let the group know.

Wild About Navan

We're delighted to discover this new Urban Nature Conservation Project. Time will tell if it can lead to a united community program taking better care of what we do have whilst planning to improve all areas. Take part in their online survey and follow them on Social Media: Facebook Page, Instagram or send an Email.