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Member Talk: No Mow May Movement Beyond the Garden

Join us to find out how some museums and libraries have been leading the charge to help nature and transforming their green spaces into biodiverse havens for wildlife.

Date
21 May 2026
Time
19:00
Free
Become a member to book
Photo shows a beautiful butterfly with orange and dark brown markings, landing on a bright yellow flower.
It’s No Mow May time again and we’re thinking beyond the garden…
This time of year, many amazing people are letting their gardens grow longer in May and beyond, helping wildlife like bees and butterflies. But it’s not just gardens with the power to help nature. There’s so many grassy areas in our communities with the potential to give nature the boost it deserves. In fact, some museums and libraries have been leading the charge to help nature and transforming their green spaces into biodiverse havens for wildlife.
Tune in to hear how Museums Galleries Scotland, the British Library and National Museums Scotland are championing No Mow May by combining longer grass with nature connection in communities. From enhancing visitor experience, creating wildlife spaces for people without gardens and showing environmental leadership – these cultural spaces will share how putting the mower away doesn’t just help wildlife, but also breathes new life into their work.

*If you are a member you should have already received your personal email invitation directly from our team (contact us if you haven’t!). New members will receive a link in your welcome email.

Speakers

Katie Cameron, Plantlife Collaboration Manager

Katie Cameron is based in Wiltshire and is Collaboration Manger for Plantlife, a new role in the communications team to expand how we work and who we work with, and to reach exciting new audiences. Katie studied art and french at university and after working in a UK gallery and then in events for a short time in Hong Kong, joined plantlife 15 years ago initially working in the membership team before joining the dynamnic communications team to work in press and media.

Photograph shows a professional headshot of a woman. She has brown shoulder length hair, black rimmed glasses and is wearing a dark blue top with yellow flowers on it. She is smiling.

Lucy Neville – Museum Development Manager for Climate & Nature

Lucy is a Museum Development Manager for Climate and Nature at Museums Galleries Scotland. She is passionate about helping museums find their climate story, connecting audiences to the land and sea through heritage, and planning resilience for the future of the Climate & Nature Emergency. Lucy’s background prior to this role was in environmental education and lifelong learning through museum collections.
Outside of work, Lucy can usually be found swimming in the sea or on adventures with her spaniel

Photograph shows a professional headshot of a woman smiling at the camera. She has mid length brown hair and is wearing an abstract striped top in brown and black.

Katherine Blamire – Head of the Living Knowledge Network (LKN). The British Library

Katherine Blamire is Head of the Living Knowledge Network (LKN) at the British Library. LKN is a Network of 30 library authorities across the UK. Through a programme including exhibitions, live streams and events the LKN works to enhance meaningful engagement between libraries and their communities, increase access to culture, collections, and information and support library staff. Katherine is passionate about libraries as important spaces for sharing culture and supporting healthy and connected communities. LKN’s most recent exhibition, Unearthed the Power of Gardening, engaged over 800,000 people.

Photograph shows a woman in close range to the camera. She has a large butterfly perched on the side of her nose and cheek. She has shoulder length blonde hair and is wearing a burgundy jacket and white t shirt.

Ashleigh Whiffin Curator, Entomology. National Museums Scotland

Ashleigh Whiffin is Curator of Entomology at National Museums Scotland, where she is responsible for the care, curation and development of the insect collection, containing approximately 2.5 million specimens. This active collection is used for vital biodiversity research and education, as well as being a source of inspiration and reference for artists. Ashleigh is a keen science communicator and is passionate about disseminating entomology and the value of collections, to the wider public. She primarily shares her love for insects through public talks and social media, but has also featured on BBC Winterwatch, Gardeners World and the One Show.