WHAT’S ON – MAY 2024

No Mow May
Plantlife is urging people to give the lawnmower a break and let wild plants set seed during the month of May.

“With over 20 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”, says the charity.

There are free resources, including wildflower ID guides, on the Plantlife website.

Nature’s Calendar
More volunteers are needed to take part in Nature’s Calendar and help scientists monitor the effects of climate change on wildlife, says the Woodland Trust. This citizen science project encourages members of the public to record signs of the changing seasons in order to show and assess the impact of climate change on the UK’s wildlife.

To take part, choose from the list of species and events that you can record (such as leaf buds bursting and migratory birds arriving), select your recording locations and then add your observations to the Nature’s Calendar database.

The Urban Tree Festival (May 11-19)
The Urban Tree Festival is back with a diverse programme of events, activities and workshops that celebrate the magic of trees in urban environments. You can view the national programme of festival events on the Urban Tree Festival website.

Mental Health Awareness Week (May 13-19)
The theme for 2024’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’. You’ll find helpful information on the Mental Health Foundation website, including a guide to moving more and a round-up of the foundation’s best mental health tips.

NEW BOOKS

Powerful: Be the Expert in Your Own Life
Maisie Hill’s latest book is a practical guide to understanding your own stress responses and applying Hill’s life coaching techniques to everyday situations such as decision making, setting boundaries and dealing with criticism. Published by Green Tree, an imprint of Bloomsbury, on May 9 (£15.99).

Lead picture credit: Joseph Vary on Unsplash