Westmont trustees approve 'Protect Our Pollinators' No‑Mow‑Till‑Mother's‑Day program

The Village of Westmont Board of Trustees approved a village program to encourage residents to convert parts of their lawns to native plants and delay mowing until after Mother's Day, voting unanimously during the April 17 meeting.

Trustee Barker, who presented the item, said the update transitions the village's former No‑Mow initiative into a pollinator‑focused program that emphasizes replacing turf with native plants that need less water and provide better habitat for pollinators and birds. "There's beautiful native plants," Barker said, adding the program is intended as an education effort as well as a conservation measure.

Supporters told trustees the shift addresses linked declines in bird populations and other species by improving pollination habitat. Barker said the Environmental Improvement Committee and staff will focus on outreach and tracking participants so code enforcement can distinguish intentional pollinator areas from neglected yards.

Several trustees discussed marketing details. One trustee urged limiting disposable signage for program participation, saying producing plastic and aluminum signs seems counterproductive; Barker and staff responded the village provides printable materials and will emphasize reusable options as the program grows.

Trustee Little moved to approve the program; Trustee Nero seconded. Roll call votes were recorded in favor by Trustees Little, Nero, Scales, Parker, Berry and a second Trustee recorded as "Yes." The motion passed.

The board and staff said the program will be publicized through the village and Environmental Improvement Committee channels; staff will continue outreach including information about native plants, water‑use benefits and how to register an area with the village to avoid enforcement action.