Next time you walk by Building 40, you’ll notice a sinuous hedge on the lawn that has been left to grow into a meadow, along with a new information panel explaining its benefits. This initiative is part of CERN’s broader commitment to fostering biodiversity, improving well-being and demonstrating environmental awareness in action.

The hedge and meadow provide a habitat for insects, birds and small mammals. Come springtime, they will flourish and, in hot summers, help reduce urban heat. To ensure these new ecosystems are sustainable, only an annual mowing in October and pruning of the hedge after nesting periods are over will be undertaken, allowing nature to thrive undisturbed.

At CERN, whatever the season, simple, effective measures are being used to transform areas featuring little diversity – such as regularly mown grass with isolated trees – into vibrant environments. Planting melliferous shrubs to support pollinators and provide shelter for wildlife, while allowing meadows to grow freely, helps enrich local flora and fauna, promote well-being and serve as a tangible example of how small, low-cost changes can make a positive impact for biodiversity.

Find out more about CERN’s actions to minimise its impact on the environment and explore CERN’s rich biodiversity by taking the virtual walk around the sites.