Roadside mowing is restricted in Winneshiek County until July 15th in order to protect roadside habitats

The Winneshiek County Secondary Roads Department is reminding property owners to protect roadside habitat for nesting game birds and song birds this spring and early summer.

Mowing roadside ditches is restricted until July 15th, to protect young pheasants and other ground-nesting birds until they are ready to fledge. The state law, which applies to county secondary roads as well as state primary and interstate highways, also protects habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects, including crop-pest predators.

Exceptions for visibility and weed control are built into the law, but non-essential mowing, including cutting for hay, is prohibited.

For more information, a brochure called "Iowa's Mowing Law for Roadsides" is available at: tallgrassprairiecenter.org/irvm-brochures.  For further questions, contact the Winneshiek County Roads Department.