APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — You might not be thinking about cutting your grass right now. If you live in Appleton, you might not have to think about it in May either.
“This is all about the one basic thing we need, and that is food,” Appleton Alderperson Joe Martin said.
City leaders want people to let the green grass grow — with a “No mow May” resolution.
It would keep the city from enforcing its long grass law between May 1 and June 15.
“All of a sudden what’s coming alive? Everything. Bees, beetles, a variety of insects are an important part of pollination,” Martin said.
Allowing, you guessed it… bees to thrive and pollinate.
Martin says the city is already doing its part.
“Anywhere where we mow and we can not mow, we definitely do that,” Martin said about places in the city like Jones Park.
Appleton is a “Bee City,” meaning it’s committed to creating sustainable bee habitats like the one on top of McFleshman’s Brewery.
Resident Dannielle Konz likes the idea.
“I think it’s a really cool resolution. Honey bees and bees other than like wasps are going to leave you alone if you leave them alone. I don’t really see an issue unless you’re like running through the grass and stepping on all of their friends that that would be too big of an issue,” Konz said.
And while bees can sting, Martin says common sense will prevail.
“Those that are allergic to bees and insects, they know that. So they know not to be walking down the middle of a pollination on both sides of them,” Martin said.
He hopes the idea becomes all the buzz around town.
“Step back for just this one month and realize what you have in your yard,” Martin said.
Appleton’s Municipal Services Committee has a public meeting on Monday night at 4:30 to debate the resolution.
When the committee makes a recommendation it will then go to council for a vote.
Martin encourages everyone to come and share their opinion.
