The summer heat has taken hold, and you’re probably struggling to keep that lawn at your home or business alive and green. What better time to learn about the advantages of turning all or a portion of that area back into a space that supports native plants, animals, and habitats? Traditional lawns require significant investments of time and resources while providing little in return.

Pollinators, for one, depend on native habitats for survival. According to the USDA, “Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce”. Native flowers in a former lawn space can support insect and bird pollinators with nectar and pollen as a much-needed food source, allowing them to complete their critical pollinating roles.

Once established, native habitats also require significantly less watering and eliminate the need for harsh chemicals and fertilizers. National Audubon Society experts estimate, “the traditional suburban lawn on average has ten times more chemical pesticides per acre than farmland”. Natural areas reduce groundwater penetrating chemicals and conserve our most precious resource, water.

Natural spaces also provide the reward of connecting on a personal level with the outdoors. Researchers at the Mental Health Foundation have observed that “people who are more connected with nature are happier and more likely to report feeling their lives worthwhile.” What better way to promote positive mental health than to create and enjoy a biodiverse area?

Lastly, we see more and more habitat loss and migration spaces being eliminated due to human sprawl and development. To put this in perspective, there are currently more than 63,000 square miles in the US of turfgrass. That’s larger than the state of Georgia (LawntoWildflowers.org). Rewilding even a portion of this massive space would provide much-needed resources for birds, insects, and other living creatures that depend on natural land.

Hopefully, these benefits have shown you why this summer could be the perfect time to convert your lawn into a native and rewarding landscape.

Resources:

Pollinators | USDA

Why Native Plants Matter | Audubon

Nature: How connecting with nature benefits our mental health | Mental Health Foundation

Bringing your lawn back to life by converting turfgrass to native wildflowers — Lawn to Wildflowers

Travis Clark is a Cornerstone Account Manager with a focus on business development. He manages corporate clients primarily in the industrial sector with a focus on manufacturing and logistics. He counsels clients in the areas of EPA and OSHA regulatory compliance management, quality certifications, and sustainability. He works closely with these operations to provide guidance on minimizing risk and implementation of cost-saving initiatives.