No Mow May 2024
In 2024, restore habitat for pollinators by planting native and reducing maintenance!
Midwest Grows Green (MGG) and many local organizations share strategies to help pollinators thrive next spring starting with an in-person and virtual presentation in Milwaukee on November 13th, 2023.
All urban and rural ecosystems rely on pollinators. They facilitate the reproduction of more than 75% of flowering plants and two-thirds of all agricultural crops. Many baby birds, including hummingbirds, feed on insects in the spring.
Unfortunately, bees have declined by more than 25% in most areas of the US and monarch butterflies have declined by 75%.
What can you do to protect pollinators?
1. Postpone lawn-cutting until June 1. Not many flowers establish in early spring when pollinators emerge from their winter nests searching for food. Early flowers like dandelions, clover, and violets help fill this nutrition gap. Remember to check your local ordinances before participating.
2. Refrain from spring clean-up until temperatures exceed 50 degrees for at least five days consecutively. This protects native bees who nest in dead wood or the fallen stems and leaves of last year’s plants.
3. Avoid using insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. These chemicals kill or harm pollinators and their forage plants. Refer to MGG’s lawn care and pesticide reduction tips.
4. Create habitat for pollinators by incorporating native plants into your lawn and landscape and reducing or eliminating conventional turf grass.
Across Milwaukee, MGG and partners will promote NMM participation by attending fairs, hosting sustainable landscaping presentations and posting pollinator protection tips on Facebook and Twitter.
Thanks to the Fund for Lake Michigan for making this effort possible.
Participating Communities
Click on points to view organizations in your community participating in No Mow May!
Click green points to view cities with approved No Mow May ordinances.
Frequently asked questions about No Mow May
What is No Mow May?
No Mow May strives to protect pollinators by providing essential food sources in early spring. Participants will simply avoid mowing their lawns until the end of the month to increase pollinator diversity.
Why should I participate in No Mow May?
We face a pollinator and insect crisis. Scientists project that the world loses 2.5% of insect mass per year. Urban environments can help slow and potentially reverse this decline. Native plants and even plants considered weeds, such as dandelions and clover, feed bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Can any homeowner participate in No Mow May?
You will first need to check your municipality’s lawn height or weed ordinances. Many of these ordinances prevent you from participating in NMM. However, you can go to a board meeting to petition for the municipality to suspend these ordinances for the month.
I saw my community is participating in No Mow May. Does that mean I need to participate?
You do not need to participate, however, it is very easy.
Will my lawn get out of control by not mowing for a month?
You have many options to keeping your lawn beautiful and organized during NMM. First, consider transitioning to a native plant mix that pollinators love. NMM sponsor and Green Shield Certified Natural Communities can help select a mix that fits your preference. Alternatively, planting low-mow, low maintenance lawns of clover species will provide food for pollinators. If sticking to a lush, green lawn, make sure to ease back into your regular lawn care routine by removing no more than 1/3 of the blade at once.
So, how can I participate in No Mow May?
Plant clover or native lawns, reduce mowing frequency, promote pollinator health in your community and attend one of the many NMM related events listed below. Reach out to MGG’s Ryan Anderson at randerson@ipminstitute.org to get involved!
Can I track my impact?
Yes, the Urban Ecology Center created a training document to track pollinator diversity in your yard! Follow the instructions in the documents below to participate.
No Mow May Events
Tuesday, May 6th
Green Day in the Bay: Klode Park, Whitefish Bay
Saturday, May 13th 11AM-4PM
Friends of the Monarch Trail 2023 Plant Pre-Sale: Greenfield Park Pavilion
Attend the Friends of the Monarch Trail’s annual plant sale, touting six varieties of milkweed and other nectar plants. To view their plant list and pre-sale options, visit their website. For more event details, visit this page.
Sunday, May 14th 11AM-2PM
Friends of the Monarch Trail 2023 Plant Pre-Sale: Greenfield Park Pavilion
Attend the second day of the Friends of the Monarch Trail’s annual plant sale, touting six varieties of milkweed and other nectar plants. To view their plant list and pre-sale options, visit their website. For more event details, visit this page.
Sunday, May 20th 11AM-2PM
Pollinator Palooza II: Estabrook Park, Shorewood
Building this year’s Palooza around the theme “Year of the Monarch” in recognition of its addition to the endangered species list and also all the good local work that’s been done in Shorewood with Monarch Waystations and other education initiatives. NEW LOCATION THIS YEAR: Pollinator Palooza II will be held at the picnic grounds across from the southernmost parking lot in Estabrook Park (Picnic Area #8), i.e. the first one north of Capitol Drive.
Date: TBD
MPS Schoolyard Workdays: Milwaukee Public Schools
Volunteer for MGG’s work to restore vegetation on Milwaukee Public Schools grounds without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
Still have questions?
Please view our new No Mow May Factsheet or reach out to MGG’s Ryan Anderson at randerson@ipminstitute.org.
Watch this presentation by Midwest Grows Green’s Ryan Anderson, explaining why you should make efforts to make a more habitable neighborhood for pollinators.
Watch this presentation by Midwest Grows Green’s Ryan Anderson, titled No Mow May, what is it? Why do we need it? How do I participate?
