Climate Sector Research

https://www.bayjournal.com/news/wildlife_habitat/states-give-pollinators-pit-stops-in-rights-of-way/article_fff66c34-8241-11ee-a077-6fcf6c4fcf2a.html Nov 2023 This article has lots of useful tidbits of information. No Mow Highway Median Programs w/links to specific programs - VDOT Virginia Department of Transportation  - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation  - Maryland Department of Transportation Studies on Reduced Mowing "nationwide program run by the University of Illinois-Chicago to voluntarily manage rights-of-way to foster monarch butterfly habitat." "A study by Virginia Tech that wrapped up earlier this year also found that reduced mowing practices helped native plant species to thrive and compete with invasives...The study found that seeding native grasses on Virginia roadsides would, in many cases, be cost-prohibitive. “The average cost of the seed for these grasses was $59 per pound compared with $2.40 per pound for tall fescue,” the study noted." Pra...

Overview On long drives, I'm often considering the long, ecologically dead, expanses of grassy median, and wondering if they could be rewilded in a cost-effective way.  Big Questions What would it take to turn all of the highway medians in Massachusetts into to native plant zones that support insects and wildlife? Is there a way to do this is a cost-neutral or cost-saving way for the state? Multitude of Little Questions Regulations & Safety What are the regulations surrounding highway medians? Are there reasons why it needs to be all grass? For example, how much flat grass do you want on the median so you can see deer before they run into the road? Where can wyou put trees so speeding drunk drivers won't run into them? Cost How much does it cost to maintain grass medians? What are costs for rewilding medians? Do you need to seed them? What plants do you get if you just stop mowing? Are they all invasive? Quantification How much land exists in highway medians? Ho...