What Is It? 

No Mow May is an environmental campaign that encourages people to refrain from mowing their lawns during the month of May. The aim of the campaign is to promote biodiversity and provide a habitat for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other insects. 

Participation in No Mow May is NOT MANADATORY, if you wish, you are welcome to mow as you normally would.  

How Does It help? 

During the month of May, many wildflowers are in bloom, providing a vital source of nectar and pollen for pollinators. By allowing these flowers to grow and avoiding mowing the lawn, people can help to provide a much-needed refuge for these important pollinator species.

Prop Up Pollinators All Season!

Pollinators can use our support all year long, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Horticulture Extension has a video, tips, and links that can help you create a pollinator garden that will attract and support diverse pollinators in your garden with a focus on important native plants and sustainable gardening practices.  Visit the UW-Madison Horticulture page at Pollinator Gardens: Plant Selection and Garden Care

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has tips for creating a pollinator garden with native plants.  Visit their Endangered Resources/Native Plants page.

Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

Build a Bee a Home!

Instructions for building a "Bee Condo" can be found here:  https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/Build-a-Bee-Condo-2023.pdf

And here:  https://makezine.com/projects/solitary-bee-condos/

Details 

In January 2023, the Eau Claire City Council voted to amend the enforcement dates for Chapter 8.28 of the Code of Ordinances entitled "Weeds, Yards, and Lawns" moving the start date of enforcement from April to June 1 of each calendar year to allow residents to let their lawns grow through the month of May.  The end of the enforcement period remains October 31.    

All properties choosing to participate in No Mow May will be required to correct any tall grass/weed violations by June 1, 2024. 

Mowing Tips

Please be advised that any lawns that are not mowed during the month of May will grow very tall (12”-18”). Most homeowner push mowers will struggle to cut grass that tall, so be prepared to take extra time during the first cut in June. 

Tips for mowing long grass at the conclusion of No Mow May and promoting a healthy lawn:

• Adjust your mower to the highest setting and make the first pass to reduce the grass height. After you have reduced the grass height to a more manageable length, change the mower setting by reducing the height of the blade, before making a second pass.

• Do not cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time in a single mowing. For example, if your grass is 6 inches tall, do not remove more than 2 inches of length. This helps prevent root stress and promotes turf vigor. If your grass is really tall, try mowing once during the last week of May and then again a week later to avoid stressing your turf grass.

• Reminder: Do not mow or blow grass clippings into the street. Grass and leaves in the street can travel with rainwater into the City storm water sewers. Many storm water facilities flow directly into our local rivers without pretreatment and the added nutrients can cause algal blooms and other detrimental effects. Debris in the street can also be dangerous for drivers, especially motorcycles and bicycles.

Overall, No Mow May is a simple yet effective way for people to make a positive impact on the environment, and to help support the vital ecosystem services provided by pollinators.

Learn about the City's Sustainability efforts by visiting EauClaireWI.gov/Sustainability

See the City of Eau Claire's Vision, Mission, and Values by visiting EauClaireWI.gov/StrategicPlan

Our Strategic Values

• We believe in making Eau Claire a great city.
• We believe that local government is a stewardship.
• We believe in sustainability.
• We believe in equity.