Sustainability board debates rebranding 'No Mow May' to 'Low Mow' and sets timeline for council approval

Members of the Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board debated whether to rebrand the city’s No Mow May program as a broader Low Mow (LOMO) initiative that would encourage reduced mowing beyond May and increase outreach and registration.

Board members proposed several changes to the past campaign: a shift from a single-month no-mow message to a year-round, lower-frequency mowing approach; clearer registration or opt-in mechanisms so residents receive educational materials; and better signage for participating properties. One staff member noted that if the city retains a height standard (for example, an 8-inch ordinance threshold), people who register would not be cited during the designated period: “I think the only thing is if individuals get above the 8 inches, then they could be cited,” the staff member said during discussion.

Members discussed logistics and timing: if the board wants a formal City Council approval of a no-mow or low-mow period, the board should finalize language and ask staff to place it before council by the end of March to allow time for outreach and registration ahead of spring. The board encouraged a small working group to draft language, outreach materials, and a registration process and agreed to revisit the item at the next meeting.

Ideas proposed included rebranding to emphasize “less mowing,” producing yard signs that visually indicate compliance, and distributing information on ecological benefits and reduced fuel use from fewer mowing trips. Board members also suggested pairing the campaign with targeted outreach to renters and businesses and leveraging water-bill inserts and city media for promotion.