The Mount Vernon Sustainability Committee is supporting an international movement titled “No Mow May.” This conservation initiative is an effort to create habitat and food sources for early season pollinators, especially bees.
“We’re asking residents and the city council to try it out this year,” said Gretchen Reeh-Robinson; one of 15 to 20 residents who attends group meetings. “If homeowners can’t quite bring themselves to commit to the whole month, they can simply reduce the number of times they mow this May.”
Studies illustrate that reducing the frequency of mowing benefits bees, as well as butterflies, grasshoppers, and other insects. In central Kentucky, 26 species of bees were recorded visiting dandelion and white clover in urban and suburban lawns. Researchers in Massachusetts found 93 species of bees visiting lawn flowers, with the greatest diversity and abundance on lawns mowed every two or three weeks.
The committee is asking the City to pass a “No Mow May” resolution and to temporarily suspend weed ordinances and unkept lawn regulations during the month.
“You could mow a strip around your lawn and/or put up a sign to indicate that your tall lawn is intentional to help pollinators,” continued Reeh-Robinson. “There is lots of information about No Mow May on the internet and you can download free signs.” https://www.xerces.org/publications/other/no-mow-may is one of many resources.
The Mount Vernon Sustainability Committee was started by Mayor Tom Wiesler in 2019. Following the COVID-19 epidemic, the group was reinvigorated and now meets quarterly. Other topics addressed by the committee include solar farms, electric charging stations, and trails. The next meeting is 6:30 pm, Thursday, June 1 at Mount Vernon City Hall. Interested residents are encouraged to attend.
Mount Vernon Sustainability Committee supports “No Mow May 2023”
April 6, 2023