No Mow May

May 2022 - No Mow May is a tiny idea with huge consequences. The idea is simple, stow the lawnmower for the month of May and let the “weeds” come to bloom. Plants that we consider weeds are actually food that is essential for pollinators just coming out of hibernation. The US has nearly 5,000 species of native bees and many of them overwinter underground. When they come out of hibernation in early spring, they are hungry and No Mow May is all about feeding the bees.

No Mow May is a movement that is successfully growing in Appleton, Wisconsin and spreading to communities across the USA. Dr. Israel Del Toro, an assistant professor at Lawrence University in Appleton, states, “Through No Mow May, we not only feed the bees but also educate ourselves and our neighbors on the many little things we can do to help our struggling pollinators. Not only do we encourage folks to reduce the amount of mowing they do but we also encourage participants to plant native flora, remove invasive species, use fewer lawn pesticides, and herbicides and create more bee friendly habitat. By being good stewards of our biodiversity and protecting our natural resources we too benefit from all of the pollination. Nearly 1/3 of all the foods we eat are pollinator dependent. No Mow May is just a simple initiative to give our bees and other pollinators a leg up and a healthy start to the growing season.” 

Dr. Del Toro and his colleagues studied the impacts of No Mow May on Appleton’s bees. They found that No Mow May lawns had five times the number of bees and three times the bee species than did mown parks.

ACTION: Sit back and watch the grass grow! Put away your lawnmower or contact the person who mows your lawn and give them a month off. If you don’t have a lawn, forward this 2020 Action postcard to friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family who do. If you are inspired, write a letter to the editor of your local paper (easy to do online) so that many more people will learn about and take part in No Mow May.

CONTACT: The Editor of your Local Paper  

• Use the text above to write and submit a letter to the editor about No Mow May.

Click here to read about No Mow May in the March 28, 2022 article in the New York Times.

Please send this email on to family and friends and/or write a letter-to-the-editor on this important issue. It is a good way to educate others and build support for needed policies.