Growing the Native Neighborhood
One yard at a time
The traditional American lawn has been a staple of the national landscape for quite some time. However, it is not a benign patch of turf as we previously assumed but a sterile, green carpet that has caused ecological damage to our water, air, and ecosystems.
This project aims to educate lawn owners about the negative consequences of lawns and to provide a simple solution: Replace the lawn with native plants.
LAWNS?
What's so bad about
Lawns do have their merits. They are somewhat of a carbon sink and create gathering spaces for people to play and socialize. But the excessive acres and acres of turf is wreaking unseen havoc on the places we inhabit.
I Don't Support Wildlife
I Pollute the Earth
I Devour Resources
9 BILLION
GALLONS
of water are used every day on lawns in the US.
50%
in 2015,
$15.9 BILLION
on lawns and lawn care services in the US
WAS SPENT
Turf covers
62,500
SQUARE MILES
IS WASTED
11
from excessive watering and inefficient methods
7
of the US
6
HOMEOWNERS SPEND
70 hours PER YEAR
Mowing and maintaining their lawns
MOWERS
and other lawn care machinery account for
5%
1
of our air pollution
9
Lawns replace habitat. They eat away at its edges until all that's left are fractured patches that are too small to support a biodiverse ecosystem. Every species requires a certain amount of habitat to eat, sleep, and reproduce in. When habitat shrinks, competition for resources like food and shelter intensifies, often forcing animals to look elsewhere for the resources. But if the next patch of their habitat is miles away, then those animals are out of luck. Lawns themselves offer no refuge for native critters, as non-native grasses and alien ornamental plantings are foreign and inedible to local wildlife.
Lawns pollute the Earth. Mowing, fertilizers, and pesticides release pollutants into our air and water. Toxic chemicals and excess nutrients entering the water disrupt aquatic ecosystems and can cause harm to fish, insects, and even birds.
Lawns consume resources. Water is an already limited resource on this Earth, and it is being wasted on lawns. Inefficient irrigation systems and poor watering times result in water that's not even used by the plants but runs off the surface or evaporates into the air. Lawns also consume your own time and money in mowing, fuel, and other maintenance needs.
Native Plants,
Your Yard,
and You
Wildlife outside your window
How can planting your lawn with native plants make the world better and improve your li fe?
Help out the birds and the bees
Grow a lively and beautiful yard
No more mowing
Clean your water and improve the soil
Backyard Habitat. When you plant a native garden, the wildlife returns. With an increased species diversity, your garden can provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, and seed and shelter for birds. All of this you can watch from right outside your window.
Grown to your advantage. There's less (or no) mowing and overall maintenance required once your garden is established. All this time you've now saved can be spent appreciating the wildlife around you. Tailor the plants to fit your needs and desires. Whether it's erosion control, privacy, or winter interest, there's a native plant out there for you.
Deeply Rooted. The varied and complex root systems of native plants can improve water infiltration, reducing rainwater runoff during storms.
Plant a garden for the sake of a garden. Gardens are magnificent! They create life and attract life, changing and growing, adding excitement and color to the world.
