Landscaping & Yard Care

The problem with lawns and conventional landscapes is that they consume a lot of water, up to 60% of municipal water use by some estimates.  The demand for water is so high in some fast-growing communities that developers have replaced sod with drought-tolerant plants (e.g., Las Vegas).  But in other areas drought has caused an enormous strain on water supplies too. 

Americans love their lawns and gardens and it shows.  We spend over $1 billion a year and apply 70 million pounds of pesticides, which explains why stormwater contamination is chiefly from these chemicals.  It is estimated that the average homeowner uses 10 times the amount of chemicals that a farmer does.  In addition to the chemical pollution, the overuse of these agents also appears to be decimating large numbers of beneficial insects.

And it's not just the insects that are being exposed to these chemicals.  Each year, it's estimated that over 43,000 children under age six are exposed to concentrations of pesticides high enough to cause cancer, respiratory illness, and central nervous system damage (CNS). 

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health noted that children whose yards were treated with herbicides and insecticides were at a higher risk of certain soft-tissue cancer (e.g., sarcoma) four times the rate of other children.  The study also noted that fetuses exposed to home pest strips during the final three months of pregnancy had three times the normal rate of leukemia; children exposed to them after birth had twice the rate of leukemia as those who did not.  It is also widely known that many pesticides can affect the immune system and lead to problems such as asthma or allergies.

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Making a Difference

The solutions are surprisingly simple.  By creating an environment with native trees and plants you can establish an ecological friendly yard that not only conserves water but also reduces maintenance as well as energy costs, not to mention the heath benefits of reduced exposure to carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals.  The tips outlined below are widely used in Low Impact Development (LID).

• conserve water by using drought-resistant native plants;

• eliminate or reduce the lawn to a small portion of the entire yard by planting trees and shrubs with mulched beds;

• use native plants and trees that support significantly more wildlife species than non-native vegetation;

• provide habitat elements such as food, water, and shelter for resident and migrating wildlife;

• manage the stormwater runoff by retaining the water on-site through bowl gardens, retention ponds, or cisterns;

• use manual tools for routine maintenance; and

• recycle yard waste into compost and mulch.

The economic benefits of a naturescape are enormous.  You will reduce water consumption as well as have less maintenance and lower energy costs.  You will also reduce waste management costs since you can recycle the yard waste into compost and mulch.  The improved aesthetics from more trees will increase property values and add to the overall community.

The environmental benefits are equally impressive since you will retain more water on the property and the stormwater runoff will not have any (or as much) pesticide or herbicide contamination.  The additional health benefit is that you won't be personally exposed to those chemicals or your family.  There are countless websites dedicated to creating a naturescape; here is one of them.  

Coastal Water Watch^© 2010