“No Mow May” in Somerville Underway to Support Local Pollinators

Noticing the grass is growing taller than usual? It’s intentional. During the month of May, mowing of City-owned passive-use grassy areas are paused as part of the international “No Mow May” initiative. The intent is to support biodiversity and provide vital food sources for reemerging pollinators -- like bees, beetles, and butterflies -- this spring. During this time, the exception is athletic fields and cemeteries, which are regularly mown per usual.

The city is participating because although pollinators may be tiny creatures they have an outsize impact on agriculture and the food supply, and they are deemed under threat. Roughly one-third of the food you eat needs insect pollination to reach your plate and pollinators are in decline. No Mow May is encouraged because pollinators wake up from winter in the early spring and need something to eat, but the flowers they rely on may be hard to find. Letting flowers in lawns grow in April and May gives pollinators an important food source.  

While the grass grows, Somerville’s Department of Public Works (DPW) along with our Public Space and Urban Forestry division are focusing those freed-up labor hours on spring cleaning and planting in parks and open spaces citywide.  

Residents and businesses can do their part too by waiting to mow their own lawns as flowers continue to bloom. Grass mowing enforcement will be relaxed on private property throughout the month for No Mow May. Please note, overgrowth violations that impede sidewalk passage or excessive overgrowth from long-term unmanaged vegetation that could contribute to rodent harborage will still be subject to enforcement. 

Get “in the weeds” on why pollinators matter and other ways the city is working to do its part to protect them by checking out Somerville’s Pollinator Action Plan. It’s a first of its kind plan created specifically for an urban environment. Designed for broad use, the plan highlights local pollinators and provides recommendations, plant lists, and design guidance that community members can use to build habitats. To review the full plan, visit somervillema.gov/pollinators.  

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov. 

If you need assistance understanding this information, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311). The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.