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National Mammal Week 2025

21 - 27 April • Nationwide

National Mammal Week is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting conservation of British mammals.

Did you know?

One in four mammal species in the UK are at risk of extinction, highlighting a growing crisis for mammals.

About National Mammal Week

National Mammal Week, brought to you by the Mammal Society, is a celebration of Britain’s mammals and an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges they face.

One in four UK mammals are threatened with extinction, with many others in decline. The British Isles are home to many species of mammal, from the tiny pygmy shrew to the giant fin whale. And yet, mammals are some of the most under-recorded species in Britain.

From April 21st to 27th, the conservation sector, volunteers and nature-lovers come together to celebrate these remarkable creatures and raise awareness about their conservation.

Through a series of engaging events, educational activities, and community initiatives, National Mammal Week offers a unique opportunity to learn about the importance of mammalian biodiversity and the urgent need to protect it. Whether you're exploring local habitats, attending informative workshops, or participating in citizen science projects, there's something for everyone to enjoy during this week-long celebration.

2025 theme: Where The Wild Things Should Be

This year, we're highlighting how much wilder our nature-depleted landscapes should be, advocating for the return of Britain’s wild mammals to the places they once roamed.

We invite everyone to participate in restoring the balance of nature and ensuring wild mammals can thrive where they should be: in our communities, landscapes, and hearts.

We invite everyone to participate in restoring the balance of nature and ensuring wild mammals can thrive where they should be: in our communities, landscapes, and hearts.

Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Take part in the Mammal Discovery Challenge

One in four UK mammals are threatened with extinction. But there’s hope. From gardens and parks to campuses and schoolgrounds, small green spaces act as vital lifelines—helping mammals move, feed, and thrive. 

Protecting wildlife starts with good data. When we know what species are present, we can take the right steps to bring mammals back to the places they once called home. And no one is better placed to record them than the people who live, work, or study there every day.

This nationwide citizen science project aims to encourage and enable people of all ages to help address the lack of data on mammal populations in Britain by monitoring and recording the mammals visiting their gardens and local areas.

  • You can use a variety of easy and fun methods to record mammals, including footprint tunnels and camera traps. In all cases, participants are asked to submit records of the mammals they detect on our free Mammal Mapper app, available for Android and Apple devices.

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2. Take some local actions to help mammals

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  • Your best option for meeting your MP is to ask to meet them in your constituency. You may find it easiest to meet them during one of their constituency surgeries, which they hold at least once a month - many hold them most Fridays. This is when your MP meets their constituents to talk about things affecting them and for people to raise concerns about politics or local issues, so it's the perfect time to tell them why nature's recovery matters to you!

    The first step for organising a meeting is to contact them or the people who work in their constituency office. You can find out who your MP is and their contact details by using this tool:

    Find your MP

    You can write to their constituency office by letter or email or call them on the number provided. If no contact details for their constituency is provided, simply write to the email address or call the number of their Parliamentary office. You could also write a letter requesting a meeting to this office - their Parliamentary address is:

    [MP's Name]
    House of Commons,
    London,
    SW1A 0AA

    Failing this, other options available include visiting your MP's website or your local library for more information about where the surgery is held.

    When you ask for a meeting, explain what you want to meet your MP about and offer some times and dates you’d like to meet. You may have to be flexible about meeting - MPs have full diaries but are good about making time for everyone.

    Don't forget to put your full postal address on anything you write to your MP so they know you live in their constituency.

3. Write to your MP or set up a meeting

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  • Your best option for meeting your MP is to ask to meet them in your constituency. You may find it easiest to meet them during one of their constituency surgeries, which they hold at least once a month - many hold them most Fridays. This is when your MP meets their constituents to talk about things affecting them and for people to raise concerns about politics or local issues, so it's the perfect time to tell them why nature's recovery matters to you!

    The first step for organising a meeting is to contact them or the people who work in their constituency office. You can find out who your MP is and their contact details by using this tool:

    Find your MP

    You can write to their constituency office by letter or email or call them on the number provided. If no contact details for their constituency is provided, simply write to the email address or call the number of their Parliamentary office. You could also write a letter requesting a meeting to this office - their Parliamentary address is:

    [MP's Name]
    House of Commons,
    London,
    SW1A 0AA

    Failing this, other options available include visiting your MP's website or your local library for more information about where the surgery is held.

    When you ask for a meeting, explain what you want to meet your MP about and offer some times and dates you’d like to meet. You may have to be flexible about meeting - MPs have full diaries but are good about making time for everyone.

    Don't forget to put your full postal address on anything you write to your MP so they know you live in their constituency.

  • Share your story:
    MPs love personal stories. Share yours with them, choosing experiences that have taken place in your local area and meant a lot to you. This way you can show your MP how much the natural environment in your area matters. Perhaps there are some moments shared with your Wildlife Trust or events you've attended that stand out? Can you think how even more wildlife in your area would help to improve it?

    Have a clear ask: 
    To make your meeting as successful as possible, make sure you have some clear things to ask your MP to do for you. For example, you could ask them to write to their Party Leader, and their environment team to attend the reading of any environmental Bills for all the reasons shared above. You can also ask them what they think they can do to help make nature's recovery happen too!

    Don’t worry if you’re not an expert: 
    It’s your MP’s job to listen to you and you will probably know far more than them - just be passionate about the issue.

    Take a photo:
    Ask your MP if you can take a photo with them - this is a great way to let others know that people have been speaking to them about nature’s recovery, and to encourage them to do the same. MPs often like the publicity too!

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About the Mammal Society 

Established in 1954, the Mammal Society is Britain’s leading charity devoted to the science-led conservation of mammals. They work to raise awareness of the issues mammals face, sharing scientific research so that populations can be protected and restored across the British Isles and Ireland. Ensuring a bright future for British mammals, the Mammal Society inspire conservation projects, empower stakeholders through training and resources, and raise public awareness through education and campaigns.   

Mammal Society | Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter 

Download schools kit

Envisioning bringing back the wild to schools and record the mammals in your schoolgrounds.

Download partner kit

Celebration Britain’s mammals and raise awareness of the challenges they face.

Download local groups kit

Celebration Britain’s mammals and raise awareness of the challenges they face.

All branding and designs seen here were kindly produced by Whistlejacket.