Residents of State College Borough can cut back on cutting the grass this month.
Borough Council on Monday night unanimously approved a resolution designating the month as “No Mow May” to give residents an opportunity to participate in pollinator-friendly lawn care practices. Participation is voluntary.
State College will temporarily suspend enforcement of the portion of the borough code that requires grass and weeds to be no more than 6 inches high.
“The borough will recommend that residents not let their grass grow too far for their mowers as it will be difficult to mow on June 1,” Borough Manager Tom Fountaine said.
Limiting lawn mowing will allow flowering plants like dandelions and clover to grow and in turn provide crucial resources for pollinators, such as bees, that are critical to biodiversity and agriculture.
“The formative period for establishment of pollinator species occurs in late spring to early summer when they are emerging from dormancy and require flowering plants as crucial foraging habitat,” Fountaine said.
The idea for “No Mow May” in State College was brought to the borough by residents and explored by the Sustainability Program before coming to council, Fountaine added.
Dina Liberatore, a Highlands neighborhood resident, said she contacted Fountaine after a neighbor shared on the Highlands listserv information about a Wisconsin community that successfully tried No Mow May last year.
“I think that it could be a great opportunity for us to support pollinators and to reduce emissions from lawn mowers and the noise pollution from lawn mowers,” Liberatore said.
“No Mow May” originated in England but has begun to catch on in the United States. More than 30 U.S. cities, mostly in the Midwest, have implemented the initiative, according to NPR.
Liberatore said that limiting lawn mowing is an easy way people can help pollinators thrive.
“Some people thought you could just do native plants and native landscaping instead,” she said. “For me personally, that’s just not an option. I just don’t have the time or the financial resources, so this is one small way anyone can contribute to support pollinators and reduce emissions as well.”
To spread awareness about the initiative, the borough is providing free signs to residents that participate to be displayed on their lawns or in their windows. Signs can be picked up at the Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen St. during normal business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, while supplies last.
Fountaine said the initiative is a pilot program this year and will be evaluated to determine if it should continue on an annual basis.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Councilman Richard Biever said.
“I’ll just agree and say that something that requires me to do nothing is always going to be greeted with enthusiasm,” Council President Jesse Barlow said with a laugh.
