University joins No Mow May

Image: Left to Right: Stephen Short, Grounds Technician; Jessica Farmer, Sustainability Officer; and Martin Williams, Grounds Maintenance Team Leader at Aberystwyth University preparing for ‘No Mow May’.

Aberystwyth University will be taking part in the Plantlife’s ‘No Mow May’ campaign once again this year as part of its work to promote biodiversity on its campuses.

Lawns and grassed areas on Penglais, Gogerddan and Llanbadarn campuses will not be cut during May as part of the campaign to tackle the global decline of pollinator species such as butterflies and bees, and to help wild plants get a head start on summer.

Work to maintain the University’s sports pitches at Blaendolau and Vicarage fields will continue during this time.

This initiative builds on the introduction of wildflower areas on the University’s campuses over recent years, which are cut once a year.

Professor Neil Glasser, Pro Vice Chancellor with responsibility for sustainability at Aberystwyth University said: “As a university that undertakes world leading climate change research and its effects on biodiversity around the world, it is only fitting that we are committed to promoting wildlife in all its forms on our own campuses. So I am delighted that we have once more signed up to Plantlife’s No Mow May campaign, and would encourage others to do the same. Whilst we hope this will bring immediate benefits to pollinators, the work also feeds into our wider commitment to sustainability which includes becoming a net-zero estate by 2030.”

According to Jessica Farmer, Sustainability Officer at Aberystwyth University, not cutting the grass for just a month can bring benefits:

“Although for us a month of not mowing is relatively short, for plants and their pollinators this can make all the difference.  Lower-intensity garden management allows a wider variety of plants to grow for longer and reach their flowering stages, providing a habitat for thousands of invertebrates and other pollinators. During spring this is especially important, and increasing the biodiversity of an area by taking part No Mow May can help ensure the longer-term success of the ecosystem, as well as making lawns look more colourful.”

As part of its commitment to promoting biodiversity the University is also undertaking a survey of species and habitats on its estate this spring.

Working with Aberystwyth based Environment Systems Ltd, the survey will provide the basis for changing the way habitats are managed to encourage wildlife to thrive.

Aberystwyth University has also been recognised as a Hedgehog friendly campus by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and both Penglais and Llanbadarn Campuses have been awarded the Green Flag in recognition of work to promote biodiversity.

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