City Council will consider ‘No Mow May’ to promote pollinators

By Patrick Lynn

The Stevens Point City Council in April will consider relaxing lawn care ordinances for the month of May, according to Mayor Mike Wiza.

The “N0 Mow May” promotion has been used in communities nationwide to let people grow their lawns to provide food and habitat for pollinators, Wiza said in a news release on Friday.

“We have a strong conservation ethic here in Stevens Point,” Wiza said. “We have constructed pollinator gardens around the community and have worked to allow honey bees to be kept in the city. This is just one more way people who choose to help can do so.”

Wiza said there are over 4,000 species of bees in North America, and due to climate change, loss of habitat, and use of pesticides and other chemicals, populations declined to a point where one-in-four species are at risk of extinction.

Details of the program are still pending, but Wiza said interested residents will need to register and agree to certain terms. Participants will also be provided with a sign to place in their yard during May.

Anyone who participates will need to have their lawn back in compliance with city ordinances by June 1, he said.

“You can just reduce the number of times you mow, not mow at all, or maybe only participate for a shorter time,” Wiza said. “Be respectful of the environment, but please be respectful of your neighbors, too.”