Lawns and Gardens
The carbon footprint of lawn maintenance comes primarily from four inputs: The amount of carbon dioxide the lawn sequesters minus the emissions related to mowing, addition of lawn chemicals, and irrigation.
Electric Lawn Equipment
1 hr of gas lawn mower use produces 11x the emissions of driving an average new car for an hour. Switching to an electric mower eliminates these emissions, pollutants, noise, fuel spills, much maintenance and hassle of having to get fuel. In addition, the lifetime costs of purchase and operation of an electric mower are less than a gas mower over 15 years.
Mulch with Leaves
Leaf mulch, made by creating a layer of about 3" of shredded leaves, acts as a mulch for about a year, then decays to be a great soil amendment (compost). In addition, leaves are free and abundant in the Fall. Leaves can be shredded by running over them with a mulching mower, using a stand alone leaf shredder, or putting a weed wacker in a can of leaves. Ask your landscaper! They might remove leaves and mulch your gardens for less than it costs to just remove leaves. NPR story: https://www.npr.org/2022/10/25/1131114849/leaves-fall-autumn-compost-mulch-grass-lawn-nutrients?utm_source=pocket--newtab
Compost
Promote Biodiversity
Composting produces nutrient rich-soil which is an organic fertilizer for both your gardens and your lawn. You can compost just leaves and other yard waste or add in food waste too.
Promote Biodiversity
Promote Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of all forms of life and it is essential to the existence and proper functioning of all ecosystems. Biodiversity supports habitats for all species by providing many environments in which species can exist. Biodiversity is essential for food, air, and water security.
Chemicals
Chemicals do not only effect our lawns but our waterways and our insect and bee populations
Reduce or Eliminate Lawns
Replacement of lawns with native plants and gardens increases habitat for pollinators and birds, reduces mowing needs, reduces pesticide and fertilizer use, and reduces water runoff.
Reduce of Eliminate Lawns
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Lawn Conversion Program
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Lawn Conversion Program
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Lawn Conversion Program
The Program "is available statewide and aims to support those who wish to convert excess acres of lawn to wood or meadow.
The department can provide technical assistance and resources, support partnership development and projects, and fund eligible plantings."
Meadows and Prairies: Wildlife-Friendly Alternatives to Lawn
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Lawn Conversion Program
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Lawn Conversion Program
"The lawn, clipped short and consisting of very few species, is a rather hostile, sterile environment for most wildlife, being devoid of food and places to hide or nest. Planting and maintaining a lawn also has time, economic, and environmental costs."
Rethink Your Lawn with Pollinator Pathway.org
Rethink Your Lawn with Pollinator Pathway.org
Rethink Your Lawn with Pollinator Pathway.org
Learn how to rethink your lawn, plant native pollinators and be part of the Pollinator Pathway.
Coopertown Beautification Crew
Rethink Your Lawn with Pollinator Pathway.org
Rethink Your Lawn with Pollinator Pathway.org
The Coopertown BEEautification Crew is a volunteer team of grownups and kids committed to supporting pollinators in the Coopertown neighborhood in Haverford Township