The growing season has barely even begun, and already I’m hearing from native plant gardeners who are receiving Notices of Violation from their municipalities because of their habitat gardens. The good news is that people are starting to fight back—both individually and in groups organizing to urge for the reform of outdated and anti-ecological “grass and weeds” bylaws in their communities.
For groups starting to organize on this issue, there are some great resources and advocacy materials available. The national campaign for bylaw reform is a good place to start.
The Ecological Design Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University has loads of useful materials on Bylaws for Biodiversity.
My blog, under the Tag Grass and Weeds Bylaws has links and information and stories of people fighting back.
This native plant habitat gardener has rallied community support to advocate for change. (Photo courtesy of Brenna Lattimore)
And for anyone who has received an unfounded Notice of Violation, post your experience on social media if you are able to. Feel free to reach out to me via the contact button on my website if you’d like support.
And for anyone considering advocating for change to your municipality’s “grass and weeds” bylaw, here is a link to a very helpful document that lists “Key Features of Biodiversity-Supporting Bylaws.” Many municipalities don’t follow the practices outlined in this document, but change is only going to happen if we all start advocating for bylaw reform. This “Key Features” document provides guideposts for where municipalities can and should be with “grass and weeds” bylaws that support habitat gardens! Please consider using this checklist when advocating for bylaw reform in your municipality.