No Mow May: we're taking part, are you?

09 May 2025

We’re giving the lawnmowers a break and letting nature do its thing across campus.

Each May, Plantlife’s No Mow May campaign encourages people to leave lawns untouched to help wild plants grow and support struggling pollinators like bees and butterflies.

This year, we’re once again joining the movement - and scaling up. Around 65% of our campus green spaces will be left unmown throughout May, giving wildflowers space to thrive. You’ll spot these areas near the Engineering Building, Alan Turing Building, University Green and more.

Why is No Mow May important?

Because flower-rich grasslands are vanishing. Since the 1970s, approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows have been lost, and with them, vital food and habitat needed by wildlife. Giving nature a bit of breathing room, even for just a month, makes a real difference.

Paul Shaw, Environmental Services Unit Deputy Manager says: “By allowing the grass and wildflowers to grow and bloom, we benefit the birds, pollinators, and many other wildlife and lock away atmospheric carbon below ground, so we are thrilled to extend the No Mow May areas.”

Julia Durkan, Head of Environmental Sustainability says: “With over 23 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest grassy patches add up to a significant proportion of our land which, if managed properly, can deliver enormous gains for nature, communities and the climate.”

Want to take part at home?

Whether you’ve got a garden, a verge or a shared green space - leave the mower in the shed this May. Even a small patch left to grow can help pollinators get a better start to summer.

If you haven't got a garden, you can find information on how to take part on Plantlife's website.

Further information

• More information is available on Plantlife.
• To find out more about our sustainability strategy, visit our environmental sustainability webpage.