Buzz In The Zoo
Join us in creating a buzz – literally! Buzz in the Zoo is all about transforming our community into a pollinator paradise. By making small, simple changes to our lawn care, we can support Michigan’s butterflies, bees, and other pollinators while keeping our neighborhoods vibrant.
We want to spread awareness about pollinators, inspire sustainable lawncare practices, highlight how planting native species and making pollinator-friendly choices can have a lasting impact, and engage our community with fun activities.
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Why Is It Important?
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds play a crucial role in keeping our ecosystems thriving. By creating pollinator-friendly habitats in our own backyards, whether through planting native flowers, reducing your mowing frequency, or providing shelter, we can support these essential species and boost local biodiversity. Small changes in our yards and green spaces add up, helping to ensure a healthier environment for both pollinators and people!
What Happened to No Mow May?
We’re expanding beyond No Mow May to better reflect our ultimate goal: supporting Michigan’s native pollinators. While skipping the mower in May is still an option, with an exemption from the Tall Grass/Weed Ordinance (in May only), we want to encourage a broader range of actions that create lasting benefits. Expanding from a one-month initiative to a full summer allows for a more meaningful, long-term impact, as pollinators need support beyond just spring. A longer timeframe gives participants the flexibility to take action at their own pace, whether by planting native flowers, reducing pesticide and fertilizer use, adjusting lawn care habits, or setting aside an unmowed pollinator-friendly patch. By stretching the event over multiple months, we create more opportunities to learn, engage, and make a lasting difference for Michigan’s pollinators!
What You Can Do
To support Michigan’s native pollinators, we’re encouraging community members to take simple, impactful actions that provide food, shelter, and habitat. During Buzz in the Zoo, you can participate by:
- Planting native flowers to provide food and habitat for pollinators
- Creating a pollinator-friendly space by allowing grasses and wildflowers to grow freely without mowing and planting native flowers
- Reducing your use of pesticides and fertilizers to keep pollinators safe from harmful chemicals
- Participating in the Yard Sign Contest (for students & young adults) to celebrate our pollinators and community creativity
- Joining iNaturalist to document both native and nonnative plants, insects, and other wildlife around the City
- Spreading the word by encouraging your neighbors and friends to join!
Remember, any small section can make a lasting impact on your community and local environment!
How You Can Participate
Ready to get started? Fill out our registration form! Signing up is optional, but it helps us gauge interest, see how much habitat is preserved, and get to know who is participating and in what neighborhoods.
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What About City ordinances?
When participating you will be exempt from the Tall Grass/Weeds Nuisance Violation Notice for the month of May, as long as the following areas are kept mowed:
- The entire curb lawn between the street and the sidewalk (if there is no curb lawn at your home, then at least five feet from the edge of the road)
- At least one mower width on the private property (house or lot) side of the public sidewalk
- At least one mower width on any walkway or approach to the front porch
- At last three feet at neighboring property lines
Yard Sign Contest
This year’s lawn sign will feature designs created by members of our community! The competition is open to elementary school, middle school, high school, and college students in Kalamazoo. One winner from each age group will have their designs featured on the Buzz in the Zoo yard signs and will have their artwork showcased across the city in participant yards. Winners will be announced at the Kickoff Event on April 24th at 6:00 at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts! Learn more about the kickoff event below.
Students are invited to create an original design for the front side of the yard signs. Your design should capture the essence of Buzz in the Zoo and highlight it’s main benefits, like native plants, native pollinators, celebration of community, and city beautification.
The 2025 Theme is: Wings & Wildflowers
This theme celebrates the beauty and importance of pollinators (like bees, butterflies, dragonflies, even birds) and the wildflowers that support them. Incorporate vibrant wildflower patterns, intricate pollinator wings, or symbols that represent nature and harmony. Your design should show the connection between native plants, pollinators, and the environment. Use bold colors, nature-inspired imagery, and symbols of growth to bring this theme to life!
Both digital and hand-drawn submissions are welcome. If you create a hand-drawn image, please make sure to photograph it clearly to preserve all the details, or scan and submit. Need help with scanning? Visit the Kalamazoo Public Library.
This contest is open to students in Kalamazoo from elementary, middle, high school, and college. If you are under the age of 18, you must submit a parent/guardian consent form (available within the submission form).
Winners will be announced at the Kickoff Event, April 24th at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Winners will have their artwork displayed on the Buzz in the Zoo yard signs across the City of Kalamazoo and will be featured on the City's social media channels.
Submission Guidelines
- All designs must include the event title "Buzz in the Zoo"
- All designs must include the event tagline "Grow Wild for Pollinators"
- Reserve a 4" x 6" space in the deisgn for our logo and QR code
- Designs should be 18" x 24"
- Keep all text at least .25" from the edge of the design
- Designs can be submitted as PDF, PNG, or JPG format
- Hand drawn signs should be scanned and submitted as PDF, PNG or JPG format
- Deadline for submissions is Friday, April 4.
Submit Artwork Now
Kick Off Event on April 24
We're hosting a Kickoff Event on Thursday, April 24. Join us at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (314 S Park St) to pick up yard signs, meet and connect with local environmental organizations, tour the musuem, and view other contenstant art.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the event going from one month to the whole summer?
Research shows that limiting the availability of flowering plants does not benefit pollinators as much as long-term availability. Pollinators need food and shelter regularly, and taking smaller steps that keep the long-term in mind will have a greater impact.
Can I participate if I don’t have a lawn or live in an apartment?
Absolutely! You do not need to have a lawn to participate in Buzz in the Zoo. If you have a balcony, you can plant natives in pots. If you don’t have a balcony, you can still get involved by joining the Yard Sign Contest if you fall within the age category, learning about Southwest Michigan’s wildlife and fauna, spending time crafting a bee hotel, downloading iNaturalist and exploring your neighborhood, or even just spreading awareness are all fantastic and impactful ways to make a difference.
How do I sign up for Buzz in the Zoo?
Registration for Buzz in the Zoo is not required, but it does help us gauge resident interest across the City, as well as collect valuable information for future campaigns.
Register
Do I need to be a Kalamazoo resident to participate?
To be exempt from the City of Kalamazoo Tall Grass/Weeds Ordinance, yes you must be a resident of Kalamazoo. However, you can join us in making pollinator-friendly changes from wherever you live! Just check local rules and ordinances where you live.
What if I can’t fully commit to one action/participating all summer?
Any small action can help. Do not feel obligated to commit beyond what you may have the time and/or energy for. Even if you’re simply spreading awareness about Buzz in the Zoo, that’s fine.
Do I have to use native plants, or can I use any plants?
Research shows that native plants are the best equipped to handle the food and shelter needs of our pollinators, as well as being best equipped to handle our weather patterns. If you are choosing to add plants to your yard, we highly encourage utilizing native plants purchased from a local grower. Need suggestions? Check out this document to find out where to purchase your plants from -
Does the size of my lawn matter?
You can participate in Buzz in the Zoo regardless of what size your lawn is.
Are there resources or guides available to help me create a pollinator-friendly garden?
Yes! Please visit our resource section to find information about creating pollinator-friendly gardens, tick concerns, and more.
Do I have to join the art contest to participate in Buzz in the Zoo?
No, you do NOT have to join the art contest to participate in Buzz in the Zoo. The yard sign contest is open to students from elementary school through college.
What happens if I can’t attend the kickoff and receive a sign?
Attending the kickoff event and posting a sign in your yard is not required. However, if you miss the event and would like a sign, please stop by the City's Rose St Offices at 245 N Rose Street, and you can pick out your sign.
What is the deadline for submitting designs for the art contest?
The deadline for submitting a design for the yard sign contest is April 4th at 11:59 PM. No late submissions will be accepted.
Can I join the event if I didn’t sign up at the start of the summer?
You can join in on the fun anytime during the duration of Buzz in the Zoo! No worries if you get involved late.