No Mow May, Plantlife’s annual campaign, is back, urging everyone to pack away their lawnmowers, let wildflowers grow freely, and help nature thrive.
Whether you’re in a town, or the countryside, it’s easy to take part.
No lawn is too small – every wild patch can provide vital food for bees and butterflies, connecting us with nature and giving the environment a strong start to summer.
This year, the Isle of Wight Council is once again supporting this national campaign in several locations across the Island, where it is safe to do so.
The initiative promotes local biodiversity and aligns with the principles of the Isle of Wight’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, particularly the principle of ‘Protect and Sustain Nature.’
Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment, and planning, said:
“This past year has given us a much greater understanding of our unique Island wildlife thanks to the incredible work put into our draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
“Throughout the development of this piece of work, we have mapped our biodiversity and Islanders have been coming forward identifying species we rarely see or knew were still here.
Article continues below this advertisement “Just last month one such rare find came to light with botanist Paul Stanley identifying one of the UK’s rarest plants – Himantoglossum hircinum, or Lizard Orchid.
“The findings of the LNRS show how important it is to restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
“We encourage people to join the No Mow May movement, in doing so supporting our Island Biosphere Reserve and aligning with the United Nations’ sustainable development goal of ‘life on land’.”
For safety reasons, the council will continue to mow roadside verges throughout May and maintain outdoor spaces that serve sport and recreation activities.
However, several council-managed areas will be allowed to return to their natural state during the month.
Among the sites participating in No Mow May 2025 are:
- Big Mead, Shanklin – Tree line on the side of the main road.
- Seaclose, Newport – On top plateau where new trees have been planted, the area behind will be left uncut.
- Fishbourne Roundabout
- Havenstreet Recreation Ground – Over a quarter of the main grass area.
- Sylvan Drive, Newport
- Tower Cottage Gardens, Shanklin – Wild garden area.
- Moorgreen Reservoir Park, Cowes
- Park Road Recreation Ground, Cowes – Tree area.
While the council supports No Mow May, it also recognises that permanent reinstatement of wildflower meadows or verges on private land would benefit biodiversity longer term.
If you do find an orchid growing among your newly grown verge or lawn, please contact Island Nature to report it and let it remain there.
For more information on how to take part, visit Plantlife’s No Mow May Movement at www.plantlife.org.uk
If we had treated the natural world and the animal kingdom how god intended it would never be necessary
What a load of nonsense, how about
NO Speeding May
I’m a huge wildlife gardener but prefer to call this Monstrous Mess May and won’t be participating. It stops children playing on the green nearby and is a cat and dog poo paradise. Of course IOW council supports it – saves money and they don’t care if everything just looks even scruffier than usual. They must think we’re all stupid.
If you are going to leave a wild patch leave it for the whole summer, cut it in the autumn after it has seeded again for the following year.
Biosphere my armpit, ignored when greenfield sites are built on. Also stop poisoning the pavements with the quad bikes, although I must admit that the residents are partly to blame as many, most, can’t be bothered to keep the area outside their own houses clear.