Community Steps Up for Pollinator Health

By Andi Anderson

Pollinators play an essential role in global food production, and their preservation has become a growing priority for many communities.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly three‑fourths of the world’s flowering plants depend on animal pollinators for reproduction.

The USDA also notes that about 35 percent of the world’s food crops rely on these pollinators. In the United States alone, more than 3,500 species of native bees contribute to increased crop yields.

The agency estimates that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats, and various insects.

To help support these important species, the Village of Westmont continues its Protect Our Pollinators Program, previously known as No Mow ’til Mother’s Day.

The goal of this initiative is to encourage residents to create and maintain pollinator‑friendly habitats on their private property. One of the most effective ways residents can contribute is by planting and caring for native plants, which provide food and shelter for pollinators throughout the growing season.

The program also includes an optional “no mow” choice that allows residents to avoid mowing their lawns, or a section of their lawns, through Mother’s Day.

This limited no‑mow period helps protect early‑season pollinators by allowing plants like clover and dandelions to grow naturally. Residents who wish to join the program must complete the official online sign‑up form.

Participants can display their involvement in one of two ways. Households may reuse their yard sign from previous years or print a Protect Our Pollinators poster to place in a window or door.

A PDF version of the poster will be emailed to all registered participants around April 1, 2026. Once enrolled, participants will not receive lawn‑mowing code enforcement notices until May 10, 2026. They may choose to avoid mowing their entire lawn or only a section of it.

The program’s official schedule includes online registration through March 27, with sign‑up ending that day. The program concludes on May 10, and regular code enforcement resumes on May 18. Residents are asked to keep program signs or posters visible from April 1 to May 10.

For questions about the program or guidance on native planting best practices, residents may contact Westmont Forestry & Grounds Division Supervisor Jon Yeater at jyeater@westmont.il.gov.

Photo Credit: istock-kerem-hanci