No Mow March

No Mow March: A Spring Initiative for Winston-Salem & Forsyth County

This spring, Winston-Salem and Forsyth County are embracing “No Mow March,” an initiative designed to promote environmental health and sustainability. Here’s a breakdown of what it entails:

What is No Mow March?
- It encourages residents to refrain from mowing their lawns throughout March.
- This allows natural growth, benefiting pollinators and the environment.
- It is an adaptation of “No Mow May” that has been altered to fit the North Carolinian growing season.
Key Benefits:
- 🐝 Protect Pollinators:
  - Provides crucial food sources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
  - Helps maintain healthy ecosystems.
- 💨 Breathe Cleaner Air:
  - Reduces emissions from gas-powered lawn equipment.
  - Minimizes particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds.
  - Potentially lessens the amount of airborn pollen.
- 💧 Conserve Water:
  - Reduces the need for lawn irrigation.
  - Promotes deeper root growth, enhancing drought resistance.
- 🐦 Boost Bird Populations:
  - Increases insect populations, a primary food source for birds.
  - Provides shelter and forage for ground-foraging birds.
- 🤫 Reduce Noise Pollution:
  - Creates a more peaceful environment by minimizing the use of noisy lawn equipment.
  - Helps wildlife that are negatively impacted by noise.
Participation:
- Residents are encouraged to take the pledge on the City of Winston-Salem’s Sustainability webpage.
- Yard signs are available for purchase to raise awareness.
- Several parks within the city of Winston Salem, and Forsyth county will also be participating.
Addressing Concerns:
- No Mow March does not significantly increase pest populations.
- Natural landscapes can actually help control pests.