East Lansing Native Landscaping Policy Replaces No Mow May

The East Lansing City Council voted unanimously April 7 to replace its No Mow May enforcement pause with a permanent native landscaping policy.

Council approved Policy Resolution 2026-24, which guides Ordinance 1558, adopted in January. The ordinance exempts native gardens and native lawn areas from the city's weed and nuisance vegetation standards.

Vegetation exceeding six inches qualifies as a native garden or native lawn area if it meets four conditions: the area is purposefully cultivated, clearly delimited from surrounding areas, contains plant species native to southern Lower Michigan, and is actively maintained. Traditional turf grass and mixed species areas remain subject to height requirements year-round.

"No Mow May raised awareness about pollinators, but a one-month pause was never going to be the long-term answer," said Cliff Walls, environmental sustainability and resiliency manager. "Ordinance 1558 gives us a year-round framework that supports ecological landscaping while keeping clear expectations for property maintenance."

East Lansing adopted No Mow May in 2023 following a joint recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Commission on the Environment. The international conservation initiative encouraged property owners to reduce or stop mowing during May to create habitat for emerging pollinators.

The city will host an event from 6 to 8 p.m. April 30 at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road. Local experts will discuss native plants, pollinators and available resources.

Residents can verify whether plants are native through the MSU Native Plants Program website and the USDA PLANTS Database. More information is available at cityofeastlansing.com/nativelandscapes.