About the company

The campaign formed a key part of SONI’s broader environmental strategy and complemented other biodiversity efforts, such as our biodiversity training sessions and the RSPB guest talk.

No Mow May

SONI participated in the No Mow May campaign as part of its broader commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity.

The initiative saw the company refrain from mowing lawns and green spaces during May to allow wildflowers to flourish, providing vital food sources for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

“No Mow May” is a campaign that encourages people across the UK to pause mowing their lawns for the entire month of May.

The initiative, launched by the conservation charity Plantlife, aims to boost biodiversity by allowing wildflowers and grasses to grow freely, providing vital food and habitat for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other insects.

The campaign also raises awareness about the ecological importance of green spaces and encourages more sustainable gardening practices.

“No Mow May” is about rethinking lawn care to support wildlife, promote ecological

health, and reconnect people with nature-starting right outside their front doors.

What the company did

Internal Awareness Campaign

We educated employees on the importance of pollinators and the ecological benefits of reduced mowing. This included highlighting how leaving grass unmowed supports biodiversity and improves habitat conditions for pollinators.

Site Participation

Designated areas around the SONI site were left unmowed throughout May and extended until July, allowing wildflowers to flourish and providing vital food sources and shelter for pollinators.

Community Engagement

We actively promoted the campaign on our social media channels to raise awareness and encourage wider participation from local communities and partners. By sharing updates, we aimed to inspire others to adopt similar biodiversity-friendly practices.

“No Mow May is a simple but powerful way to support biodiversity. At SONI, we’re proud to take part and lead by example, showing how even small changes in land management can make a big difference for pollinators and the wider environment.”

Helen Gallagher, Head of Strategy and Sustainability

Impacts and Outcomes

• Biodiversity Boost: Increased presence of pollinators and wildflowers on the SONI grounds
• Employee Engagement: Strong internal support – encouraged employees to partake in No Mow May at home. We also provided employees with wildflower seeds to encourage them to grow their own
• Public Awareness: Enhanced SONI’s environmental profile and community trust by sharing on social media. Signage across our site also raised awareness among employees and visitors
• Carbon Reduction: Lower emissions from reduced use of mowing equipment

Lessons Learned

• Small Changes, Big Impact: Simple actions like pausing mowing can significantly benefit biodiversity
• Engagement Drives Success: Employee involvement was key to the campaign’s effectiveness
• Operational Balance: Biodiversity goals must be balanced with safety and operational requirements