Why No Mow May?

No Mow May encourages organisations and households to pause mowing for a month and allow grass and wildflowers to flourish, providing much‑needed habitat for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

For NHS estates – often large, diverse and located in both urban and rural areas – this small shift can have a powerful environmental and wellbeing impact.

From May to September, NENC trusts selected suitable areas, guided by Rewilding and Biodiversity Action Plans, to allow natural growth to take place. Clear signage, internal communications and engagement with staff and visitors were key to helping communities understand the purpose of the change and the benefits it delivers.

Creating space for nature and people

By letting grasslands and wildflowers grow, trusts:

• Provided safe, food‑rich habitats for pollinators
• Supported local bird, insect and plant populations
• Allowed ecosystems to regenerate naturally
• Contributed to regional ecological recovery efforts

This work not only benefits wildlife – it also enhances the experience of people using NHS sites. Access to nature is proven to support recovery, relieve stress and improve general wellbeing.

The impact

1. Patient care

• Quicker recovery: Patients with exposure to natural views recover faster and require less pain medication (Ulrich, 2002).
• Healthier communities: Access to green space is linked with increased life expectancy (The Health Foundation, 2024).
• Cleaner air: Vegetation helps filter pollutants, protecting people – especially vulnerable groups – from the health impacts of air pollution.

2. Financial savings and efficiencies

• The initiative is free to implement, making it accessible to all trusts.
• Reduced mowing means less grounds maintenance time, enabling teams and contractors to focus on other tasks.
• Biodiverse landscapes support climate adaptation, helping to mitigate flood risk and urban heat island effects, reducing future system pressures.

3. Footprint reduction

While exact emissions savings are difficult to measure, the environmental benefits are clear:

• Less mowing = lower fuel use and emissions
• Healthier soil = improved long‑term carbon sequestration
• Nature‑rich estates = greater ecological resilience

Scaling and sustaining the initiative

Interest across the region is high, with strong enthusiasm from staff, biodiversity groups and local site teams. However, several challenges remain:

Key barriers identified

• Limited funding and resources: Many trusts lack dedicated budgets for biodiversity improvements, making long‑term planning difficult.
• Maintenance constraints: With many trusts relying on contracted grounds services, there is reduced flexibility for ongoing care of rewilded areas.
• Inconsistent senior sponsorship: Leadership support varies across organisations, affecting pace and ambition.

To move from small‑scale success to widespread, lasting change, targeted leadership support is crucial.

Executive ask

To build on the success of No Mow May 2025 and scale biodiversity action across NHS estates, the following support is required:

• Explicit recognition of biodiversity and green space in national guidance and the ICB Green Plan, ensuring alignment with trust‑level Green Plans.
• Executive sponsorship to champion the wide‑ranging benefits of biodiversity – from improved physical and mental health, prevention, air quality and carbon sequestration, to organisational resilience.

A simple step toward a healthier future

No Mow May demonstrates how small, low‑cost actions can drive meaningful environmental and health improvements. By embracing nature‑friendly practices, NHS organisations can nurture healthier spaces for patients, staff and wildlife – while contributing to a greener, more resilient health system.

If supported and scaled, biodiversity initiatives like this have the potential to transform the NHS estate into a vast network of thriving, restorative natural environments.