While “No Mow May” is a catchy slogan, we need to modify it to “Slow Mow Summer,”  because mowing less--rather than not at all--is the goal of a new bee-friendly campaign by the University of Minnesota. Bees need food AFTER May, too! Plant diversity is key to supporting bee diversity, so if you can, plant a wide variety of native spring and summer blooming flowers, trees, and shrubs, like pussy willows, serviceberries, bluebells, violets, pussy-toes, self-heal, ground plum, lanceleaf, tickseed or calico American aster. And bees still love your dandelions, white clover, and Creeping Charlie that bloom in May. 

The conservation of endangered species is a fundamental necessity for the health of our planet. The rapid loss of species taking place today is estimated by experts to be between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate. Human activities have accelerated extinction rates dramatically through deforestation, habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation. Today, 130 native Minnesota species are endangered within the state with additional species being added by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Populations of monarch butterflies, rusty-patched bumble bees, and little brown bats in particular have declined dramatically in recent years. On Endangered Species Day, we celebrate, learn about, and take action to protect threatened and endangered species. 

Find out what species in Minnesota are endangered or threatened: Minnesota DNR

Check out the Minnesota DNR's Rare Species Guide, a dynamic, interactive resource for information on Minnesota's endangered, threatened and special concern species.

World Environment Day in 2025 #BeatPlasticPollution will mobilize communities worldwide with the United Nations Environment Programme to implement and advocate for solutions to plastic pollution. The day spotlights the growing scientific evidence on the impacts of plastic pollution and seeks to drive momentum to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastics use.

Plastic pollution exacerbates the deadly impacts of the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste.