SHAWANO, WI – No Mow May is now a permanent initiative in the city of Shawano after the Shawano Common Council unanimously voted to end the program’s annual review process, allowing the pollinator-friendly effort to automatically return each spring.
The initiative encourages residents to delay mowing their lawns during May in an effort to help bees and other pollinators during a critical time of emergence and survival. Alderman Kevin Barkow, who originally pushed for the program, said the idea was rooted in supporting local agriculture, gardens, and the environment.
“Well, I think the reason that I wanted to do this initially was because we’ve got so many people in the area that have gardens and obviously we have a ton of farmers out there that rely on pollinators to help them make a decent living,” Barkow said.
Barkow explained that pollinators, especially bees, often struggle to find enough pollen early in the spring. He says naturally growing wildflowers in residential lawns can provide an important source of food before summer vegetation becomes more widespread.
“I think a lot of it starts with the bees in the springtime not having a lot of pollen to collect,” Barkow said. “They depend on some of the wildflowers that grow naturally in our lawn. Keeping those without being mowed, I think is just going to make more for the bees to hopefully be able to survive through the summer.”
The Common Council first approved No Mow May several years ago, but until now it required annual review and approval each spring. Barkow said after several years with minimal issues, he felt it was time to make the initiative permanent.
The recent vote passed unanimously.
“Yes, it did,” Barkow said regarding the council’s support for the measure.
While the initiative is now permanent, Barkow emphasized participation remains completely voluntary. Residents are still free to mow their lawns if they choose.
“People can make a decision on their own whether or not they want to go ahead with No Mow May,” Barkow said. “If they want to mow, that’s completely up to them. We’re not telling anybody that they have to do anything. We just want to try to get as many people as possible to not mow their lawn so our pollinators have a chance of surviving.”
City officials have previously noted some concerns from residents whose neighbors allow grass growth to continue into June. Barkow acknowledged the issue and said the city understands homeowners may need a few extra days after May ends before mowing.
“Obviously we can’t expect people to have lawns mowed on June 1st,” Barkow said. “I would like to see the first or second week of June as a cutoff for having lawns mowed.”
Despite some criticism over the years, Barkow believes the initiative has generated awareness and encouraged at least some additional residents to participate.
“Hopefully a couple of additional people or a few hundred people in the area decide that they want to take part in No Mow May,” he said. “I think it’s just going to help everybody in our area.”
Barkow also said making the initiative permanent reflects Shawano’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship.
“It’s no different than when you drive into the city of Shawano and you see the sign that says Tree City USA,” Barkow said. “We’re very proud of the fact that we’re Tree City USA, but I think in order to really be a friend of Mother Nature, it’s extended past a tree community and extended to a pollinating community.”
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