Conversations about climate change and extinction can be daunting and paralyzing. But what if you had a way to help save your local bee populations and do less work at the same time? Meet No Mow May: the amazing campaign that started in the town of Appleton, Wisconsin and is now sweeping the nation!
Sign now to pledge that you will help protect bees by not mowing your lawn in the month of May!
Lawns are devastating to the planet – they use massive amounts of water and occupy vital space that could otherwise be dedicated to native plants or weeds that are good for bees and other pollinators. Luckily, one community in Wisconsin decided to do something about it – by refraining from starting up the lawn mower, they allowed plants that are identified as weeds to flower and create a feast for the bees. And the trend has spread -- by 2021, over a dozen communities throughout Wisconsin were adopting No Mow May campaigns. Now, other states are recognizing the benefits and joining in, too!
The truth is, chopping down weeds in our yards is destroying a vital source of nectar for bees – threatening their already vulnerable population, and the plants that rely on them for pollination.
Bee populations have been decimated in recent decades because of human impacts like habitat loss, pesticide use, and a warming climate. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, nearly one in four native bee species is at increasing risk of extinction. But when local scientists studied the impact of No Mow May on local bee populations, they found that the effect of reduced mowing for a month was incredible: unmowed lawns had five times the number of bees and three times the number of bee species than nearby parks that had been mowed.
What is especially wonderful about this environmental action is that it actually requires less work, not more. If you are a homeowner, simply choose to keep your mower stored away for the month of May, and know that you are playing a vital role in helping bee populations survive and thrive. Sign now to pledge that you'll stow your mower this May! And if you want to go one step further, share the petition with someone who you want to participate in No Mow May with you!
