To help revive the shrinking populations of the monarch butterfly and other pollinators, the Illinois Department of Transportation is adjusting its mowing routine along state highways this spring and summer. The approach, part of IDOT’s overall effort to encourage green and sustainable practices in all its programs and projects, will help to re-establish types of plants that are food sources for bees, butterflies and other insects that are native to Illinois.
“As one of the largest land owners in the state, IDOT appreciates its tremendous responsibility to act as stewards of the environment,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “This simple change in our maintenance obligations will have little impact on the traveling public, but will give a big assist to Mother Nature at no cost to the state.”
Although their numbers are on the decline, pollinators play a vital role in agriculture and the state’s ecosystem by fertilizing and aiding in reproduction of flowers, fruits, vegetables and seeds. The official state insect of Illinois since 1975, the monarch butterfly is at risk of being declared endangered, with a population that’s declined by 80 percent the last 10 years.
Starting this month, IDOT will only mow 15 feet of right of way beyond the edge of the roadway. Exceptions will be made in certain areas to preserve sightlines for motorists and to prevent the spread of invasive plant species.
Prior to this initiative, mowing widths varied by location. By reducing the amount of land being mowed, IDOT hopes to encourage the growth of critical plant species, such as milkweed, the only food source for monarch caterpillars. In the coming months, IDOT will be monitoring roadsides to determine if the approach is working.
In recent months, IDOT has taken other measures to restore native habitat along state highways, including a prairie restoration project on U.S. 45 near Champaign.
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10 Comments
Bunch of liars….the state is just sooooooo broke they can’t afford to mow more frequently. The butterflies are being used as scapegoats!
The Illinois Tollway started their program early 2015
Well they just sent us the press release today….
IDOT seems to be a little behind the Illinois Tollway….lol.
ahh ok, always thought the tollway was part of IDOT. Thanks for teaching me something today Ivan!
Just think of the tollway as the guys with the yellow trucks and IDOT with the orange trucks.
How about ya’ll stop spraying pesticides, too! Not good for the Monarchs and not good for humans!
At least it’s finally a step in the right direction!
Years ago roadsides weren’t mowed and we had pheasants and quails,bees, butterflies. Now we mow and spray and these animals have almost disappeared. Let’s go back to the old way and that will save on labor and equipment.
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Great place for the deer to hide too…