NO MOW MAY

On March 13, 2023, the Cedarburg Common Council voted to support No Mow May, which encourages people to skip mowing their lawns in May. This delay in mowing will provide critical resources for emerging bees to help them get a healthy start to the season.  

Why "No Mow May?"

• Pollinators hibernate in the winter and come out of hibernation in May - not mowing protects bee habitats and shelters, and allows natural plants like clover and dandelions to pollinate, which ensures the bees have the pollen and nectar they need when they emerge.
• May is especially critical for bees, which are endangered…this means nature, ecosystems, and our food supply are also at risk.
• Almost 90% of flowering plants depend on bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating animals
• Not mowing in May requires literally NO effort - and it can be voluntary. Residents can choose to mow or not mow. There’s really NO downside, only positive potential for bee health! 

What does this mean for homeowners?

As a homeowner, you can choose to participate or not! But if you choose to let your lawn grow, the city won’t ticket you, and the bees will thank you. If you choose to participate, we do ask that you get your lawn mowed by the first week of June.

Will the city still mow public places?

We will consider it on a space by space basis, but generally the city will still maintain public places (particularly parks and cemeteries) since it’s more difficult to get them back into acceptable condition if they get too unruly.