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Commission highlights 'No Mow' pollinator campaign video and urges residents to delay spring mowing
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Summary
Commission members reviewed a social-media video promoting the 'No Mow' initiative and heard from Dr. Corey Purcell, who said allowing lawns to grow a few extra weeks benefits pollinators, reduces watering and can improve soil health. Staff will continue outreach ahead of spring.
Members of the Webster Groves Sustainability Commission described the outreach behind a local 'No Mow' (NoMo) initiative and highlighted a short promotional video that has drawn strong engagement on social media.
"This small change can make a surprisingly big difference for pollinators and other beneficial insects," Dr. Corey Purcell said in the video, which the commission credited to text by a committee member and video production by Jordan, the city's public-information staffer. The commission reported that a recent post about the initiative received high engagement — likes and shares across local pages — and that the city re-shared the material to broaden reach.
Why it matters: The initiative encourages residents to delay early spring mowing so emerging pollinators have nectar and pollen resources. Members argued the approach can support biodiversity and reduce noise, fuel use and erosion. The video emphasized practical benefits: better soil moisture retention, reduced watering and lower emissions from less frequent mowing.
Commission members said they received mixed online responses and were careful to avoid alienating lawn-care businesses. "I didn't want to discourage people from using lawn services," one member said, noting the outreach has aimed to educate residents rather than impose penalties.
The group agreed to continue sharing plug-and-play materials with neighboring municipalities interested in the program and to push a marketing 'nudge' before related events such as Arbor Day. No ordinance or regulatory action was proposed; the initiative is an educational outreach campaign led by the commission and the city's communications staff.
