Mowing less, to benefit flora & pollinators

KENT — Close mowing and pesticide spraying may be a thing of the past in some areas of Kent: The Board of Selectmen encouraged a Pollinator Pathway Partnership program at their regular meeting on March 17.

Executive Director Connie Manes of the Kent Land Trust presented a report on the program, outlining possible steps the town can take to encourage maintenance of vegetation, lawns and roadsides.

If implemented, the program would join with other area towns contributing to providing a healthy environment for active pollinators such as birds, butterflies and bees.

The pollinating insects and birds do not do well with manicured, weed-free lawns, Manes explained. In addition to her duties with the land trust, Manes is active with a variety of local conservation groups, including the Housatonic Valley Association.

Area towns are signing on to the partnership in an effort to create a swath of natural growth that will over time provide for the needs of endangered insects. The intent of the program is to establish pollinator-friendly habitat and food sources, Manes said.

The selectmen were asked to lend their support for the program as it might be implemented on town-owned and managed land, while also encouraging residents to participate. Manes said that the program is seeking a change in norms for how the town views and handles its landscape.

First Selectman Jean Speck agreed. “It’s time to think differently about our lawns and how we treat them.

“This is a great step,” she added. “It enables us to move in a voluntary way to make changes in our practices.”

“No-mow May” is one of the popular ideas to be considered by the town and residents, according to Manes, along with less frequent mowing throughout the growing season. Rather than weekly mowing, she suggested every three weeks as a guideline.

Manes indicated that signage would define areas participating in the program. Such signs would be available to the town and to residents.

“Seeing dandelions and tall grass would be a change,” Speck said.

Representing the public works department, Town Foreman Rick Osborne expressed concern about uncontrolled growth around the town’s roadside guard rails, indicating that crew practice is to spray downward to curb the spread of poison ivy and knotweed. He also noted the possibility of an increase in populations of ants and rodents.

Speaking of the variety of options within the program, Manes said, “You work on it and see what happens.” She added that the principles of the program are essential to the environment.

“If a lawn becomes ugly, have less lawn,” Manes advised.

As a first step toward participation in the program, Manes suggested that the town compile a list of town-owned and managed properties to see where the program makes sense.

Selectman Rufus de Rham said that he could support a move in that direction, and suggested more discussion to examine the details. He also suggested that Manes contact Kent Center School to involve the students in the program and perhaps in creating signage.

Also looking for more detail, Selectman Glenn Sanchez focused on examining the herbicide spraying program.

The selectmen agreed that Manes should confer with Osborne to develop a plan that could be practical for the town to implement.

“We need to take action to set us on a good pathway forward,” Speck said of the Pollinator Pathway program.

The meeting was held on Zoom.