Appleton, Wisconsin, is urging residents not to mow their lawns for the month of May. It is part of an effort to save not only honey bees, but also native bees like bumblebees, mining bees, and even sweat bees.
Nearly one in four American bee species is in danger because of all the usual suspects–global warming, pesticides, and habitat loss. By not mowing, dandelions, violets, white clover, and other plants can flower.
No Mow May has taken hold in Britain; in Appleton 435 homes signed up. Other Wisconsin towns are also doing this, and it seems to be helping. I’m all in.
See Anne Reader, “No Mow May Is Saving Bees Across Wisconsin,” New York Times, (4 Apr. 2022), p. A16.
The many side effects as well. Besides saving the bees and all they do to pollinize the fruit trees and other things, we also will conserve gas, out time and such.
ReplyDeleteGood points.
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