Garrettsville – Approximately 40 million acres are planted as lawns across the United States, either in residential or commercial properties or golf courses. “That’s more land devoted to lawns than to irrigated crops like corn or wheat,” Lynn Vogel, Storm Water Educator at the Portage Soil and Water Conservation District, shared.
In cities across the country, 30-60% of fresh water is used for watering lawns, with 67 million pounds of synthetic pesticides used on U.S. lawns each year. In addition, lawns have less than 10% of the water absorbing capacity of natural woodlands, which contributes to suburban flooding.
In communities across the country, environmental advocates like Vogel and Adam Wohlever, Northeast Regional Preserve Manager for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, share how local residents and community businesses and organizations can embrace native plants for the multitude of benefits they offer. The James A. Garfield School District has recently implemented a project that helps the district, the environment, and the local community.
In November of 2019, the District agreed to designate a one-acre plot on the JAG campus to become a native plant meadow in the hopes that students, teachers, and the greater community could ‘explore, enjoy, and observe nature in progress’ in this unique space on the JAG campus.
“Natural areas provide opportunities for educators to get their students outside for hands-on learning,” Vogel explained. “Native plant communities provide food and shelter for many wildlife species, which allows for student observation and study. Vogel added, “Having a biome on school grounds for student study allows educators more flexibility and opportunity for ‘field’ trips that do not require buses and budgets!” Its close proximity to the schools allows everyday use, and not just for science-based lessons but for classes including art, photography, physical education, and more.
Wohlever concurred, adding, “Another value to the school site is that it’s visually appealing to to see a meadow full of flowers when passing by or looking out the window during study hall. We hope this extends to influence local homeowners’ perspective on landscaping,” he added.
Aside from learning and aesthetic benefits, another major benefit is cost-savings. The reduction in labor required for mowing, as well as the limited wear and tear on the district’s mowing equipment helped make the project an easy decision. “As conservationists and educators, we should be striving to be conservative in our decisions impacting the environment which can translate to being conservative fiscally as well,” Wohlever explained.
The project also invites thought and discussion on whether mowing is necessary in many circumstances, given the environmental benefits that spaces like this provide. For example, Vogel explained that instead of routine mowing throughout the warm months, the JAG Prairie will require one full mowing, during each of the first three years. In subsequent years, only half of the area will be mowed once each year.
In addition to the drastic reduction in carbon emissions from reduced mowing, the native plantings provide increased carbon storage in massive root systems as compared to the shallow roots of turf grass that formerly grew there. Native plant communities also improve the water holding capacity of soils, which reduces erosion from storm water and improves soil fertility through increased organic matter.
“Another important benefit is that the site, which was formerly used for overflow parking during football games, is no longer susceptible to grease, oil, gasoline or other harmful chemicals potentially leaking into the soil from those vehicles,.” Wohlever explained. “Not to mention how the native plants attract native pollinators, providing additional habitat, which benefits our own local vegetable gardens and flower beds. This is crucial, since the number of invasive species is on the rise and our native plant species are becoming more imperiled, and in many cases, endangered,” he explained. “When we plant native species, we are guaranteeing a success for the environment, from the food we eat and the clothes we wear, that non-native plants cannot.”
“We cannot stress enough how this project cost almost nothing,” Wohlever added, “From donated seed to loaned equipment, almost every aspect of the project was completed because of strong partnerships throughout NE Ohio and beyond.” Vogel continued, “The community and School District have reaped rewards from partnering agencies like the ODNR, SWCD, OSU, and many other organizations that have invested in this project and our community. We are so grateful to Ted Lysiak for his willingness to work with us and provide support for this project,” she added.
Vogel encourages visitors to visit the JAG campus and explore the roughly .25 mile trail that meanders through the native meadow. “The newly-installed WELCOME sign is an open invitation!” she marveled. Wohlever concurred, adding, “We hope that this is seen as an extension of accessible green spaces within Garrettsville and not isolated to just the school and students.”
Now that school has resumed, visitors are asked to stop by the JAG Prairie after school hours and on weekends.
