Don’t mow so pollinators can grow!
Doing nothing has never been more popular and socially acceptable – at least when it comes to our lawns. The No Mow May movement encourages people to hold off on mowing their lawns, raking up leaves or cleaning up their garden until after the month of May.
Some species of bumble bees hibernate in our yards: under leaf piles and branches and in holes in the ground. If we clear our yards early, we may be eliminating these important pollinators before they have emerged from hibernation. Plus, dandelions, clover and naturally occurring spring flowers are important resources for bees. Make sure you check your local ordinances on lawn-height requirements and obey your city, village or town laws.
Sponsor the bees today!
Members of the Zoo and Zoological Society care for honeybees in a beehive behind the scenes. It takes several team members to check on the bees to make sure they are thriving. The Zoo and Society also work hard to create pollinator gardens around the grounds to encourage native bumble bees. Last year, an endangered species of bee, the rusty patched bumble bee, was spotted in one of the gardens!
To help all these precious insects, sponsor the bees today! Your $50 sponsorship will include an adorable plush-toy bee, a packet of seeds so you can plant native bee-friendly plants at home, bee fact and activity sheets and an invitation to a special event just for animal sponsors.
Follow the Zoological Society’s journey of No Mow May on Facebook and Instagram.
For a list of native and pollinator-friendly plants, go to zoosociety.org/NoMowMay.
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About the Zoological Society of Milwaukee:
The mission of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is to conserve wildlife and endangered species, educate people about the importance of wildlife and the environment, and support the Milwaukee County Zoo.