[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6316906,"mediaKeyId","2375204-c283f54365ed95856860f22b2b0329c6","parentId",2375204,"title","Sustainability Commission approves 2025 work plan with updated healthy‑habitat actions; receives clean energy report","audioSeconds",1607,"startMs",91000,"endMs",1698000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2375204-c283f54365ed95856860f22b2b0329c6&start=91&end=1698","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2375204-c283f54365ed95856860f22b2b0329c6/thumbnail_91000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6316906/Green-Bay/Brown-County/Wisconsin/Sustainability-Commission-approves-2025-work-plan-with-updated-healthyhabitat-actions-receives-clean-energy-report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316906-a1714739862ea47458ce489ed4bc8e4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159783&Signature=QIUrWVLG7PPmqWAS2-cmLtfEeBmiNedFniPM33WrqOJKhgrSAuM49fuPcQZ2ee8ZcpuUn-NlfiH4xQz32zwqnXDQ8Kevj1EoYl~zWoz-f5Zv9Q42XHyfk4PymLvZQM52hweaoL8zOVBLuZ~-Qo1JuiaH9ilOj23pFv7s1-4ayiKiOshUpUPqphW-GvrbfE~JbR9qj3wi4kMpbgWtMgp-BEhIQg~DStmNGhxbCrdn4YD8W2KkVgQAuq~bM8~-tqe-U32ny3Ht0jkRiKvJtDk4dOqjTboCJWj9lYDkfO5z8e-opM5ClF~NectXJIv~5Rm~nqX4TiJ75iSgIPIPsCP68Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Green Bay, WI","date","2025-02-22T12:44:15.157Z","article","The Green Bay Sustainability Commission voted Feb. 19 to approve its 2025 work plan as amended, adding target dates and revised language to healthy‑habitat items and directing staff to post the updated plan online.

The approved changes include adding a June 2025 target for promoting the city’s Pollinator Corridor map and revising language around No Mow May so action items instead call for promoting “healthy lawn and landscaping practices that support pollinator habitats and stormwater management.” Commissioners also set an April target to have some public information available about the planned transition from city‑sponsored No Mow May, should the Common Council accept the commission’s recommendation.

The motion to approve the amended work plan was moved and seconded during the meeting and passed by voice vote. Commissioners also received and placed on file the Clean Energy Work Group report, which summarized partnerships with regional organizations and programs that support medium and small commercial and industrial energy savings, an Industrial Assessment Center at NWTC, and discussions about how to track municipal decarbonization progress.

During the staff reports, Melissa and others highlighted current initiatives: Energized Green Bay neighborhood clean‑energy information sessions, a Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)‑facilitated “grow solar” group buy RFP issued to contractors, and near‑term resilience and park projects (East River/East River Van Buren Park design and grant activity). Staff said roughly $400,000 in grant funding is secured for East River project phases and that other applications remain pending.

Commissioners asked staff to coordinate messaging so that the public understands any program changes and to use the March meeting and the commission’s Council report as opportunities to present alternatives and outreach materials.

Votes at a glance:
- Approve 2025 Sustainability Commission work plan (as amended) — motion moved by Ned Neddorf, seconded by Corey Mims; outcome: approved.
- Receive and place on file: Clean Energy Work Group report — motion moved and seconded in meeting; outcome: placed on file.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sustainability Commission 2-19-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Green Bay’s Sustainability Commission approved its 2025 work plan with amendments to the Healthy Habitat section — adding target dates for pollinator map promotion and guidance on lawn/landscape practices — and received the Clean Energy Work Group report.","taxTitle","Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin","taxId",2853,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6316911,"Sustainability Commission recommends ending city‑sponsored No Mow May, pivots to ‘healthy lawns and landscapes’",4053,430000,4483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2375204-c283f54365ed95856860f22b2b0329c6&start=430&end=4483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2375204-c283f54365ed95856860f22b2b0329c6/thumbnail_430000.jpg","/articles/6316911/Green-Bay/Brown-County/Wisconsin/Sustainability-Commission-recommends-ending-citysponsored-No-Mow-May-pivots-to-healthy-lawns-and-landscapes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316911-cb56f60b07dfc527ca353e2c8898010c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159783&Signature=m~R6BEtKCMChsIRe1OmrS44Yj75-nja8nz46kkKS69L1tHHHTqNMTzzMZMQHw446wuhsEAKl6KVXXbecDj4b5JqmlUlVsSr~1KnsDb5nODLr1krZMIHJAofTfYg-3foUYxmpwNztnGaGR7~q64rZIUJBsCgBmjAKNe~Zh2eyuu7fcw5k1w4XS0j6M-8dWYspImRXfMTVsc990tMKUB~XsntgXEBxHTeD45v7WnbK5m012O-pIXiTMZouhA1DieVUt0FdFfAPI6fVhCgIZy2GMz8SnHb4snJ5BMnLFQrVZWyB8lYx~bAh5zaQTyQ8jZ51EUwBvRw7DOQYL8~K1PE8Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Green Bay’s Sustainability Commission voted Feb. 19 to recommend ending the city‑sponsored No Mow May program and instead to promote “healthy lawn and landscaping practices that support pollinator habitats and stormwater management.” The motion passed after an extended discussion of the program’s benefits and administrative costs.

Commission members and staff said No Mow May succeeded at raising awareness about pollinators but imposed costs and operational burdens on city services. Melissa (city staff) said long‑grass complaints “really skyrocket during that month,” adding that crews must check the No Mow May registration map, respond to complaints and replace stolen signs. She said the program has also produced more calls about residents expecting pick‑up of lawn clippings and other unintended burdens on operations staff.

The commission heard arguments on both sides. Vice Chair Ned Neddorf said the program helped start conversations and can be an easy, visible way for residents to participate, but he urged a transition that lets the public still “buy into something” and be proud of their yards. Several commissioners proposed alternatives including: expanding the city’s pollinator corridor map (with a June 2025 target to begin broader promotion), leaning on the city’s Planned Natural Landscapes registration, offering educational resources about horticulturally sound mowing practices, seed packets or small neighborhood plant sales, and a future signage or recognition program for registered planned natural landscapes.

Staff and commissioners discussed operational details for a transition. Melissa said the city has leftover No Mow May signs from past years and did not budget for additional signage in 2025; she advised the commission to coordinate messaging so the city can publish clear information before May. Commissioners asked that some materials be ready by April to help the public understand the change and alternatives available.

Commissioners framed the vote as ending the city’s formal sponsorship and implementation of No Mow May, not as prohibiting residents from following similar practices on their own. Krista Keenan, the commission chair, read a proposed recommendation that summarized the group’s approach and asked for it to be the formal motion. Mark Walter moved the recommendation; Vice Chair Neddorf seconded. When called, the commissioners voted in favor; no opposition was recorded.

The commission directed staff and the Healthy Habitats work group to draft outreach materials and a transition plan, to coordinate with the city website and social media, and to develop options for public recognition (signage or comparable tools) in future years.

The decision will be transmitted to the Common Council as the commission’s recommendation; any formal change to city programs or budgets would be the Council’s responsibility.

Ending No Mow May concluded a months‑long review in which commissioners balanced public interest and visibility against administrative burden and questions about ecological effectiveness. The commission expects follow‑up at or before its March meeting to provide draft outreach language for public release before the May lawn‑care season.","At its Feb. 19 meeting the Green Bay Sustainability Commission voted to recommend that the city end its official No Mow May program and shift outreach and resources toward promoting healthy lawn and landscaping practices that support pollinators and stormwater management.","actionData","errors"]

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Sustainability Commission approves 2025 work plan with updated healthy‑habitat actions; receives clean energy report

Sustainability Commission recommends ending city‑sponsored No Mow May, pivots to ‘healthy lawns and landscapes’