No Mow May Helps Ferndale Residents Support Nature and Get Out of Mowing Their Lawn
(City of Ferndale, April 24, 2023)
Ferndale, MI – The City will participate in No Mow May this May, a pollinator-friendly and environmentally-friendly initiative that suspends grass and weed enforcement for the month of May. Mowing less for the month of May will allow pollen-producing plants to grow to increase nectar for bees and other pollinators. A lack of mowing also means less power usage, which reduces emissions and noise pollution from lawnmowers. It also reduces soil compaction and offers greater infiltration of stormwater. Plus, you get to take a month off of mowing your lawn! Spend time with other areas of your garden (like adding native plants!), or just simply sit back and relax.
How do I participate in the program?
Residents are highly encouraged to register for the program here. Lawn signs are available for pickup at Ferndale City Hall on a first-come-first-serve basis to those who have registered.
Will I get a ticket?
No, code enforcement standards for grass and weeds will be suspended for the month of May only. However, June will operate as normal.
Am I required to participate?
No, this program is completely voluntary. You are welcome to participate and stop mowing altogether, or even partially or less often than usual—whatever you prefer. You are not required to adjust your lawn mowing schedule in any way if you would prefer not to.
Why is the City doing this?
The City of Ferndale is proud to join a number of other municipalities in the No Mow May initiative. Ferndale City Council unanimously approved the Resolution to Adopt May 2023 as No Mow May—a resolution to support the No Mow May Initiative. No Mow May is supported by the Environmental Sustainability Commission as one of the goals of the FESC is to communicate City Sustainability initiatives such as the Plan Ferndale Climate Action Plan.
*The No Mow May initiative does not apply to violations of the ordinance that affects public safety under Ferndale City Code ORD 992 SEC 20-39. Vegetation must be maintained to ensure an unaccompanied minor, a person in a wheelchair, and a person walking a bike can be adequately visible to a driver. Vegetation must not intrude on the right of way in such a manner as to create a hazard for pedestrians using the sidewalk.
Delay mowing of lawns through the month of May to allow emergence and maturation of pollinators that overwinter in grassy open spaces and below trees.
- Increase available early-season flowers that provide pollen and nectar for pollinators.
- Reduce compaction of soil from lawnmowers and allow greater infiltration of stormwater.
- Reduce emissions from fossil fuel-based lawnmowers.
- Reduce noise pollution from lawnmowers.
- Allow property owners some additional leisure time to consider planting a planned natural landscape and incorporate more native flowers onto their property.
It’s also important to note that native plants benefit and support local birds and wildlife. Natural landscaping creates ideal conditions for hummingbirds, honeybees, and butterflies—all of which are extremely beneficial to our ecosystem and are currently in decline nationwide. Learn more about how to incorporate native landscaping into your yard by scrolling down on this page.
Click here to learn more about the program or contact the Zero Waste Coordinator at zerowaste@ferndalemi.gov.
