From litter removal to mowing regulations, communities statewide are taking steps to make South Dakota just a little bit greener.
Gabi Bolwerk is a member of the community sustainability council in Brookings. She says residents have a month off from mowing their lawns as part of a voluntary program called “No Mow May.”
“So, you won’t get a lawn violation in the month of May," Bolwerk said in an interview with SDPB's In the Moment. "That’s when our pollinators are emerging from the ground, so they’re still in there and when they come out, they’re looking for food sources to help them grow and get ready for summer. When you mow you’ve got your feet and your wheels that are compacting the lawn, and that might damage some pollinators while they’re in there or while they’re emerging.”
Brookings residents can pick up yard signs at the city office to let their neighbors know they’re participating. Lawns will have to be back in compliance by June 7.
In Sioux Falls, the Big Sioux River greenway cleanup is continuing for its eighth year. Holly Meier is the local sustainability coordinator.
“Volunteers pick up significant amounts of debris and trash, so there’s things to pick up every year," Meier said. "Over the course of this event running, thousands of pounds of trash and debris have been picked up along the greenway system.”
Meier said these events make a notable difference.
“If we didn’t pick that up it would likely end up in the river itself, so it’s a pretty significant and important event to keep our river resource clean," Meier said. "Volunteers can register at Siouxfalls.org/green. If they don’t get a chance to register in advance they can also just come to the event, we just encourage registration.”
The Big Sioux River cleanup is scheduled for Earth Day, April 22.