Bay Journal Article on No Mow Zones

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 

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."

Practical Implementation 

"Spending about half as much time on mowing - Bill Lewis VDOT"

PA - 4,000 acres

MD- "turfgrass management guidelines that ensure most right-of-way grasses are not mowed until they have reached a height of 18 inches or are in areas where they impede drivers’ visibility."

VA - "planting a different type of fescue grass that is bred to be shorter and mowed less frequently."

"In addition to areas set aside specifically for pollinators, VDOT has nearly 40,000 acres “enrolled” in the voluntary program (U Illinois-Chicago)

VA - "The edges of the medians and grass closest to the roads are mowed regularly to maintain visibility for drivers, but in vegetated areas that are 50 or more feet wide...sloped areas are also generally left unmowed during the growing season...These areas are eventually mowed at the tail end of the peak growing season, usually late October to mid-November. Doing so helps to prevent the growth of invasive plants "



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