What’s on in May: Celebrating nature across Wales

No Mow May (1-31 May)

Embrace the wild side this summer with No Mow May - the perfect way to kickstart a greener, more biodiverse garden. By letting your lawn grow at different lengths, you’re giving pollinators, birds, and other wildlife the boost they need to thrive. And why stop at May? Keep the momentum going with Let it Bloom June and beyond, turning your garden into a year-round haven for nature.

Less mowing means more flowers, more buzzing bees, and a healthier planet - so why not take part? Whether it’s a garden, a park, or even a roadside verge, every unmowed patch helps Wales bloom. Find out how to make the most of No Mow May here.

Hedgehog Awareness Week (4-10 May)

Hedgehogs are in trouble, and they need our help. As these iconic little wanderers face a steep decline, Hedgehog Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the challenges they encounter - from habitat destruction to road dangers.

Want to do your part? Keep an eye out for community workshops, local conservation projects, and volunteer events, where you can help protect these beloved prickly creatures. Advice on making gardens and green spaces hedgehog friendly can be found here.

World Migratory Bird Day (10 May)

Each year, thousands of migratory birds travel incredible distances, crossing oceans and continents to find food and nesting grounds - and Wales plays a vital role in their journey. Wetlands and coastal havens like Ynys Môn (Anglesey),
Penrhyn Gŵyr (Gower Peninsula), and Ynys Skomer (Skomer Island) serve as essential stopovers, offering a safe resting place for weary wings.

World Migratory Bird Day is a chance to celebrate and protect these incredible travellers. Join RSPB Cymru and local conservation groups for guided walks, bird-watching events, and expert talks, where you can witness the arrival of species like swallows, sandpipers, and terns.

Invasive Species Week (12-18 May)

Invasive non-native species threaten the survival of our native wildlife and natural ecosystems, cost the UK economy nearly £2 billion a year, and can even harm our health and interfere with activities we enjoy.

During Invasive Species Week there is a series of webinars, awareness raising events and volunteer events you can join. Find out how you can get involved here.

Nature Friendly Farming Week (19-25 May)

Farmers play a key role in conserving nature while growing the food we rely on.

Want to see Nature Friendly Farming Week in action? Many farms open their gates to the public, offering guided walks, farm tours, and hands-on experiences to showcase how nature-friendly farming works. Find out more here.

World Bee Day (20 May)

Bees are the unsung heroes of our ecosystems, tirelessly pollinating plants to give us and wildlife fruits and seeds we can eat. There are many different species of bee including solitary bees, bumblebees and honey bees. In Wales, honey bees are largely managed by beekeepers and are not in decline. Increasing their numbers by installing hives does not really aid biodiversity.

Unfortunately, wild bees in Wales are now found in fewer places than they have been found in the past and some face an uncertain future.

Bees need an environment that has varied and nutritious food sources, water and nesting sites, and, where possible is free from pesticides. Wildflowers provide good food for pollinators and so do many garden flowers.

This is where you can help. Can you create a space in your garden or in your local community that could provide food and shelter for wild bees?

Take a look at the Bee Friendly Action Guide and see what actions you can take. Cutting your grass less often is one of the simplest ways you can allow flowers to grow and provide food. You could leave an area to grow wilder, or you could plant flowers that insects can easily collect pollen and nectar from. The Bee Friendly webpage has useful materials such as a plant list, a Planting for Pollinators booklet, posters, contact details for your local Bee Champion and case studies that we hope will inspire you. Working together we can help our wild bees and make a difference. 

International Day for Biodiversity (22 May)

This global event shines a spotlight on the incredible variety of species that call Earth home - and Wales is a prime example of nature’s resilience and beauty.

There are plenty of ways people in Wales can celebrate International Day for Biodiversity on May 22nd. Here are some ideas:

• Join local events – The Wales Biodiversity Partnership hosts various nature-themed activities across the country, from wildlife surveys to conservation workshops.

• Explore nature reserves – Visit places like Bannau Brycheiniog National Park or the Pembrokeshire Coast to appreciate Wales' rich biodiversity.

• Participate in citizen science – Take part in surveys like the Oil Beetle Recording Scheme, Mammal Mapper or Ancient Tree Inventory.

May is shaping up to be a month filled with opportunities to reconnect with nature. Whether you’re letting your garden grow wild, listening to the birds, or taking steps to support biodiversity, every small action makes a difference. Get involved and make this month a celebration of the natural world in Wales.