City of Akron, Ohio Noxious Weed Ordinance Meets the 21st Century
Daisies, Milkweed. and Goldenrod can now be legally planted in the City of Akron. Our Coalition was supported by local beekeepers, University of Akron Native Bee researcher, and members of the Summit Food Coalition to secure the modernization of the City of Akron noxious weed ordinance. March 21, 2022 the Akron, Oh. City Council voted to revise ordinance 94.29, aligning it with the State of Ohio’s noxious weed list.
LEAD for Pollinators and the Summit Food Coalition are appreciative of our collaboration with the City of Akron in revising the Noxious Weed ordinance 94.29 based on science. This change allows our community to legally provide native plants to migratory Monarch butterflies and other pollinators. During the March 21, 2022 Akron City Council meeting the revised ordinance passed unanimously. The revised ordinance aligns the definition of noxious weeds with the State of Ohio list of noxious and invasive plants. The revised ordinance removes goldenrod, milkweed, and daisies from Akron’s list of illegal plants.
Councilwoman Nancy Holland has been very supportive in working with LEAD for Pollinators and the Summit Food Coalition to ensure homeowners, retail nurseries, County Extension, and landscape designers could support customers and landowners in creating beautiful landscapes which also supported pollinators. Under the old City Ordinance it was illegal to plant and grow goldenrod, milkweed, and daisies: all vital food and habitat for honey bees and native pollinators. We are appreciative of this legislation’s sponsors, Councilman Fusco, and Councilwoman Holland for presenting a revised ordinance #94.29 to Akron City Council, and for shepherding its progress to passage.
Michele Colopy, Executive Director Beth Knorr, Executive Director
LEAD for Pollinators, Inc. Summit Food Coalition
Watch our video to learn about the “Value of Urban Pollinator Habitat for gardens, soil, clean water, and pollinators.” View the video “City of Akron Ordinance Conflicts” for clarification and understanding of the issues.
