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Green Bay sustainability commissioners recommend 'Neighbors for Nature' as name for native‑plant program
Summary
The Green Bay Sustainability Commission voted to recommend 'Neighbors for Nature' (with possible wording edits) as the successor name to its No‑Mow initiative and authorized staff to bring the recommendation to city council; the commission also discussed logistics for a May native‑plant kit giveaway funded by a recent grant.
The Green Bay Sustainability Commission on an informal vote recommended "Neighbors for Nature" as the program name to replace its No‑Mow initiative and to brand an upcoming native‑plant kit giveaway.
Commissioners spent more than an hour debating three options — "Healthy Habitats," "Neighbors for Nature" and "Pollinator Pocket" — weighing clarity for passersby, broader program branding and marketing. Chair and staff members emphasized that any of the names would require accompanying explanatory outreach and that signage and promotional materials would be needed to make the program’s intent clear.
Maria (city staff) told the commission the grant-funded plant kit giveaway will be scaled to roughly 100 kits whose distribution the city expects to run annually; additional donations from local partners could increase kits to 200–300. On signs and associated costs she said the current grant covers signage for this year’s giveaway but noted sustaining free signage in future years would require additional funding.
Commissioner Ned Dorr moved the recommendation: "Move to vote for, Neighbors for Nature as our recommendation to move forward to council." The motion was seconded by Mark Walter; commissioners then voted in favor and the chair announced the motion passed. The commission suggested staff consider slight wording changes (for example, using an ampersand or alternate prepositions) before the council packet is finalized.
During public comment a resident at 617 Bart Street said they had seen "Pollinator Pocket" used in other municipalities and urged consideration of that option. Commissioners replied that while some communities use that phrasing, any chosen name will need explanation and outreach. The commission noted that city council must still approve the recommendation before any formal branding or ordinance change.
Next steps: staff will finalize a recommendation and wording to include with the commission's formal recommendation to the Common Council at its next meeting on Dec. 2. The plant kit giveaway is tentatively planned for May, and staff are arranging partners and additional funding to expand kits and cover signage where possible.
