Salisbury approves Pocket Pollinator Meadow program

Salisbury Independent
Posted 10/24/21

The city of Salisbury has approved legislation allowing for Pocket Pollinator Meadows in yards within city limits.

The City Council voted to pass the ordinance, officially amending the …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already a member? Log in to continue.   Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Salisbury approves Pocket Pollinator Meadow program

Posted

The city of Salisbury has approved legislation allowing for Pocket Pollinator Meadows in yards within city limits.

The City Council voted to pass the ordinance, officially amending the city’s property maintenance code to allow for well-maintained Pocket Pollinator Meadows. 

Meadows are defined as a planned, intentional and maintained planting of native grasses and wildflowers that are commonly found in meadow and prairie plant communities.

They are small, native plantings offering the same ecological benefits of wild meadows but on a more manageable scale.

They represent a valuable habitat by providing pollen, nectar, seed resources, nesting sites, and a protected environment for the city’s native bee and butterfly species.

“We have been eager to make this program available to the public, allowing residents to use their own property to support local pollinator populations,” said Mayor Jake Day.

“The success of this program depends on our community’s willingness to make choices that positively affect our environment, and I am confident that the Pocket Meadows program gives residents the opportunity to rise to the challenge of making sustainability a priority,” he said.

Residents who choose to participate in Salisbury’s Meadow Program will need to first register for the program on the city’s website and abide by a few rules in order to be exempt from property code violations such as:

  • The meadow must be managed in a manner that it does not become stagnant or weed infested.
  • Meadows should be managed in a manner that does not allow for noxious weed growth.
  • Meadows should include, at minimum, a majority of plants native to Maryland.

It is also required that property owners maintain a height of no more than 8 inches in the Pocket Meadow area and the meadow should be no less than 10 feet away from the front property line.

As a Bee City USA Community, Salisbury is already committed to expanding pollinator habitat throughout the city. There are many pollinator gardens across Salisbury, including the Zoo’s pollinator gardens, the pollinator garden at Poplar Hill Mansion, the Downtown Edible Garden, and the bio retention areas that line Main Street.

To learn more about the Pocket Pollinator Meadows program, or to register your pocket meadow, visit salisbury.md/meadows.

Readers and donors make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X