Mowing ditches not the best option

The July 28 letter 'Mow ditches, beautify our area” was a surprise and very troubling in a newspaper that has had many articles about the need to prevent rain runoff and related topics.

One of the things we are noticing as we drive along highways and country roads is the increase in the areas mowed.

More and more country homes have acres of mowed lawns around them. Mowing in front of farmsteads is extending further along roadsides in both directions. Rather than looking neat and tidy, these extensive mowed areas look like wastelands where no pollinators and other species can forage, travel through or make their homes. And fuel is wasted mowing unnecessarily while adding to air pollution.

The Iowa Living Roadway Trust (http://www.iowalivingroadway.com/) encourages planting more natives along roadsides for the following reasons: 'provides low-maintenance weed and erosion control, reduces surface runoff and erosion by improving infiltration, reduces snow drifting and winter glare, ensures sustainability by increasing species diversity, enhances wildlife habitat, beautifies the landscape by providing ever changing color and texture throughout the year and preserves our natural heritage.”

Linda and Robert Scarth

Cedar Rapids