Letting it grow for nature this No Mow May

We’re letting our grassy areas across campus grow throughout #NoMowMay – helping our environment to thrive by encouraging wildflowers, and supporting bees and butterflies. 

What is No Mow May 

No Mow May is a national campaign lead by Plantlife, encouraging anyone and everyone to ditch the lawnmowers for the month of May and letting wildflowers grow. Leaving the grass to grow longer can help capture carbon, as well as help local ecosystems thrive, such as bees and butterflies. 

What the University are doing

• We’ll be avoiding cutting our grassy areas across campus throughout May. Some areas across campus where you can enjoy the wildflowers and spot some nature include: 
  • Gun House Green
  • Ravelin Park wild flower meadow
  • Milldam Building courtyard
  • The Milldam triangle, in front of Milldam Building
  • Burnaby Building
  • Behind Anglesea Building  
• The edges of some of our grassy areas may still be mowed
• The wildflower amphitheatre in Ravelin Park will be maintained, but some areas across Ravelin Park may be cut due to graduation preparations

How to take part 

Anyone can take part in No Mow May, no matter how large or small your grassy areas are. Simply put away the lawnmower for the month and watch it grow! Other ways to introduce nature-friendly gardening include: 

• Skip the tidy-up – natural litter, such as twigs and leaves provide a cosy hiding spot for many species 
• Add a pond or water source – if you can’t add a pond, even shallow dishes and bird baths can help 
• Start a compost heap – these are perfect environments for woodlouse, worms and amphibians