The City of Mount Vernon will once again lax enforcement efforts for those citizens participating in No Mow May during the first few weeks of May to help pollinators in the community.
Gretchen Reeh-Robinson encouraged those who are participating in No Mow May or Slow Mow Summer to get signage from GoodNeighbor.org to let people know you are taking part in the efforts and raise information about the cause.
Reeh-Robinson said that the effort usually stretches from late April to mid May, or after the first time dandelions go to seed, as that is giving ground pollinators a chance to get a better foothold in the year.
“It’s not that you don’t care about your property, it’s that you’re shifting to a broader conservation,” Reeh-Robinson said.
Reeh-Robinson said that elements of yards could be designated for pollinators as well, but citizens should edge them and let others know what they are attempting with those elements.
There was also discussion about the grubbing that happened near the dog park and Nature Trail.
That work, said city administrator Chris Nosbisch, was to remove invasive species of plants along the trails. The city will plant a forest plant seed along those trails as soon as they are certain the invasive species has been eliminated from the area.
Nosbisch said that there is no change to the ordinance at the moment, but it’s just redirecting enforcement against lawns for those who are participating in the program during that span of time. The only complaints the city received with the pilot program were people slower to mow after the time span of May had concluded.
Nosbisch said the council may need to look into ordinances down the road. In the future, the city will look into increasing prairie land for the monarch butterfly research project which is based out of Cedar Rapids.
“The ordinance clearly says there can be no burning, but prairies usually thrive better with some form of burning,” Nosbisch said.
Nosbisch said that that prairie ground could be a potential training exercise opportunity for the firefighters, while also educating neighbors.
There have been additional prairie ground areas that could be installed at Nature Park and in front of the police department.
“If it takes away a mowing position in the summer, I’m happy,” Nosbisch said.
Council member Paul Tuerler noted that if burning is to be allowed once more, expect those with breathing complications to be in opposition of allowing burning to happen.
“Just be aware of that,” Tuerler said.