By now you all know our pollinators are in trouble but here is one action you can take to help protect them.

Ask our TDOT to accept the newest Federal Best Management Practices Guide to Highway mowing. It's pretty simple really! Currently the mowers cut at a height of four inches and it is very important that the cut height be raised to 6 inches. The state should follow the 'Best Times" listed to mow and fully train their maintenance engineers to recognize and protect high quality native plants such as Joe Pye Weed and various milkweeds.

The new BMP continues to address issues of safety and invasive plant management so that really has not changed and should not be of concern.

Please, whatever group you may belong to- ask them to take a formal stand to protect pollinators and encourage TDOT to accept the new BMP.

One more important action the state can take is to implement and make public the rules for use of The "Bicentennial Beautification Act of 1993" TCA 54-5-1201

This program has been forgotten and should be brought to the attention of every conservation group in TN to help save our pollinators.

In 2004 TDOT gave up on the Wildflower Program and moved to give communities grants for signs and plantings at intersections via Transportation Enhancement (TE) grants which are no longer available. Currently, no such grant could be given under the guide lines of the new Transportation Alternatives Program ( TAP) grants.

This is a huge opportunity for our conservation groups if only the State would make rules to put the law back into action. Sure, no one wants citizens to park on the interstate and go out to plant native plants but our State Roadside Rest areas would certainly provide ample opportunity. Something other than acres of grass and big box roses would be welcome.

Link to the original federal memo and website can be found here (link...)

BMP

Typical Current mowing guidelines

54-5-1201. Short title.
This part shall be known and may be cited as the "Bicentennial Beautification Act of 1993."
54-5-1202. Legislative intent.
It is the intent of the general assembly to:
(1) Develop a permanent roadside landscaping program within the department of transportation with emphasis on wildflower preservation and propagation;
(2) Beautify the state's roadways and enhance the aesthetics of the state's highway system while reducing maintenance costs; and
(3) Make the public more aware of the state's landscape diversity and improve environmental quality along the roadways.
54-5-1203. Wildflower program.
(a) The department of transportation shall continue the wildflower program.
(b) (1) The department shall plant in each of the four (4) regions of the state not less than twenty-four (24) acres of wildflowers along the highway system and at appropriate interchanges that are heavily traveled.
(2) For the purposes of this part, unless the context otherwise requires, "wildflowers" means plants or grasses that are native to the southeastern United States, and Tennessee in particular, when available.
(c) The department is encouraged to take measures to reduce mowing costs associated with this program. In rural areas beyond the immediate roadside identified as having existing high quality native wildflower habitats, mowing should be conducted only as necessary to encourage the full development of the wildflower habitats. The department of environment and conservation shall assist the department of transportation in identifying these sites.
(d) For the benefit of the traveling public and mowing crews, the areas shall carry appropriate notations stating that the wildflowers are present.
54-5-1204. Participation by community groups.
(a) It is the intent of the general assembly to encourage business groups, civic organizations, garden clubs, and individuals to assist, on a volunteer basis, in planting and maintaining Tennessee native wildflowers, other native plants, and other plants along the highway system and at appropriate interchanges that are heavily traveled.
(b) The commissioner of transportation may enter into formal agreements with business groups, civic organizations, garden clubs, and individuals for volunteer services to assist, on a volunteer basis, in planting and maintaining Tennessee native wildflowers, other native plants, and other plants along the highway system in accordance with plans devised by the commissioner after consultation with the volunteers.
(c) The commissioner may direct that appropriate signs be erected to recognize and express appreciation to a provider of volunteer services.
54-5-1205. Rules and regulations.
The department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, to implement this part.
HISTORY: Acts 1993, ch. 455, § 5.
54-5-1206. Acreage in addition to acres already planted and cultivated.
The acres that are planted pursuant to this part shall be in addition to acres already planted and under cultivation. The acres planted as of July 1, 1993, shall be maintained and continued and shall be included in the required report.
HISTORY: Acts 1993, ch. 455, § 6.

TDOT email addresses are in this org chart

Thanks all!