You may have heard of No Shave November, but have you heard of No Mow May? This month (and all year!), we encourage you to stop mowing your lawn to promote a #ThrivingEcosystem in your own backyard.
(See what might happen if you try to mow this month?! 🤣)
The picture-perfect American lawn is not so picture-perfect for our habitats and the animals that rely on them. Mowing prevents native wildflowers that pollinators rely on (also known as "weeds") from blooming. Bees and butterflies have already seen a steep decline in their populations in recent years, but most don't realize that our economy heavily depends on them!
Besides, wouldn't our communities be so much more vibrant if butterflies, bees, and other pollinators were fluttering through them?
Ways to Participate:
Simply let the grass grow! Cut down on mowing, even if it is just in certain parts of your lawn.
Stop using fertilizers and pesticides, because they will harm ecosystems that are developing in your green spaces.
Rethink your definition of "beautiful." A beautiful yard does not have to be neat and tidy!
Plant stronger alternatives to turf grass, such as native wildflowers and grasses that are more drought-resistant than typical lawn grasses.
Keep the leaves! If you want to tidy up, consider raking them into a corner of your yard instead of bagging them. This reduces plastic and creates homes for small mammals and beneficial insects, like native ground bees.
What a Way to Celebrate May!
Waterway Advocates is challenging communities to improve our ecosystems by volunteering in litter clean-up, gardening, and other beautification events. We would like to invite you to take part in this challenge by participating in our May volunteer opportunities. Come enjoy some fun in the sun, and get your community service hours completed while you're at it! Register here.
Florida’s Environmental Regulation Commission Hasn't Met in 5 Years
Following Waterway Advocates' open letter to Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Miami New Times published an article on Friday with a wealth of new information.
You may not be able to find the current members of Florida's Environmental Regulation Commission on the State's website, but you can find them on ours. Read our blog post with new findings here.
Native Plant of the Month: Marsh Hibiscus
Looking for big, showy flowers? Look no further than the Marsh Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus)!
This moisture-loving shrub is native to the wetlands of Florida and can grow 4-8 feet tall. Historically, this hibiscus has been used to treat various ailments. It also does an amazing job at filtering water, increasing the health of the waterway habitats and the organisms they support!