APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Some Appleton residents have been participating in “No Mow May” since the city started allowing it in 2020.
It means they don’t mow their lawns the entire month of May, with the purpose of helping bees pollinate.
Recently, the original study, which supported the idea, was retracted. This has created disagreement over the effectiveness of the initiative.
In 2020, Appleton became the first city in the United States to adopt No Mow May as a way to help the bees. In 2022, it was made permanent. Now, some elected city officials are questioning its effectiveness.
“There’s now no scientific proof based on the retraction of that paper, that long grass actually assists in aiding the bee population,” Alderperson Sheri S Hartzheim said.
Alderperson Chad Doran proposed a resolution to eliminate No Mow May. The original study — conducted in part by fellow board member Israel Del Toro — was retracted due to faulty findings. Others agree the city needs to look into that possibility.
“Not that I don’t encourage bees in the city, not that I don’t want citizens to be aware of the bee population and try to encourage it,” Hartzheim said. “I think we have a lot of folks just very concerned about the look of their neighborhood.”
Hartzheim wasn’t in favor of adopting the initiative in the past for other reasons. She said her constituents have voiced concerns as well. At a municipal services committee meeting last week, many expressed support of No Mow May.
“It helps pollinators which are in trouble,” one resident said. “We know they’re in trouble. No one is forced to not mow.”
“In 1950 to right now, our temperature here in Appleton has gone up three degrees,” another resident said. “Every little bit affects every part of the food chain.”
“No Mow May does not cost any taxpayer dollars, and it is helpful for our fragile environment,” another resident said.
Del Toro will give a presentation in response to the retraction at the next municipal services meeting.
Hartzheim believes the city should have been given more information sooner.
“I think we were owed, as a city, an upfront statement about the retraction at the time that it was retracted,” Hartzheim said.
After the resolution goes through committee, the full common council will revisit it and decide whether to keep No Mow May.
Other communities that participate include Green Bay, De Pere and Oshkosh.
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