How Cemeteries Can Become Biodiversity Havens in Your Village

Introduction

Cemeteries and churchyards are often calm green islands in towns, villages and parishes. Because they are less disturbed than parks or roadside verges, they can host surprising biodiversity including lichens, mosses, rare wildflowers, invertebrates and small mammals.

Yet many councils overlook their potential. In both Wales and England, integrating biodiversity into cemetery management offers a win for heritage, ecology and community perceptions of local nature.

The policy and legal backdrop

• In England, under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006, public authorities including parish and town councils have a duty to conserve biodiversity when exercising their functions. This duty was strengthened by the Environment Act 2021, which asks public authorities to make biodiversity a first consideration by January 2024.

• In Wales, biodiversity duties come under Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. Councils must maintain and enhance biodiversity and promote ecosystem resilience, with reporting cycles.

• There is also increasing expectation that councils contribute to Local Nature Recovery Strategies and nature recovery planning.

Why cemeteries matter for biodiversity

Cemeteries provide low disturbance zones for specialist flora, veteran trees that support fungi and bats, and gravestones that act as habitats for lichens and mosses. They also connect with wider ecological networks, acting as stepping stones between parks, hedgerows and rivers.

Practical ideas for councils

• Create managed transition zones with mown strips around graves but wilder margins along boundaries.

• Selectively plant wildflowers in less used areas.

• Build log piles and deadwood refuges in corners to encourage insects and fungi.

• Avoid harsh cleaning of monuments to protect rare lichens.

• Install discreet bird and bat boxes in suitable places.

• Reduce chemical use and manage invasive species carefully.

How Green Council Biodiversity Solutions can help

We provide surveys and mapping, prepare zone plans and planting schedules, and supervise implementation where required. Talk to Green Council about a proportionate cemetery plan that respects memorial needs and enhances local biodiversity.

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