Lawns and landscapes around the country are seemingly thriving – but at what cost to the environment?
It’s easy to sweep to “pesticide” problem under the rug. If the lawn you own or manage is green, it must be healthy, right?
Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Even if a landscape looks healthy, it can negatively impact the surrounding environment and the ecosystems we need to survive. Landscapes aren’t just a place to relax, reflect, and enjoy recreational sports – but home to various plants, microorganisms, and animals.
Give & Take
Humans depend on all these ecosystems to survive, even if we don’t easily see how important they are to our existence. Air, food, renewable energy sources – our landscapes give us much more than we do in return. And we’re only scratching the surface of just how connected we are to the green spaces around us.
But when we consciously decide to take more, we put these ecosystems at risk. For example, climate change is linked directly to adverse human behaviors like pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation.
Those who defend eco-conscious lawn care could argue that the problem is not a lack of education; but rather a lack of personal responsibility. We know that using pesticides and herbicides can harm the environment, but we underestimate the impact of our individual footprints.
In the words of Vincent Van Gogh, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
Small changes in your personal and professional routines can significantly impact the ecosystems around you. And when enough people adopt eco-friendly practices, you begin seeing the fruits of that labor.
Even some of North America’s most endangered mammals are making a comeback thanks to ongoing conservation efforts.
Changing Our Routines
As we move into Q4, here is some food for thought:
- The heavy use of toxic chemicals on landscapes is not just unnecessary – it’s irresponsible. Pesticides and herbicides can leach into unintended areas of a landscape, compromising soil and killing wildlife. Limit the use of chemicals, search for organic alternatives, and always read product labels.
- Soil is at the core of a healthy ecosystem, much like the foundation of any strong building. Soil helps provide us with clean air, water, food, diversity, and even picturesque landscapes. Consider getting a soil test and then take measures to course correct. Use naturally-derived soil amendments and fertilizers, improve your irrigation or drainage system, and work native plants into the landscape (no pesticides and minimal maintenance needed).
- Like synthetic fertilizers, lawn equipment can contribute to pollution and adversely affect our health. Consider looking for electric alternatives to reduce emissions, yielding the same results but with less environmental impact.
Accepting Responsibility
Increasingly urbanized landscapes and the ever-growing human population require us to be more aware of our actions than ever. And our ecosystems impact nearly every facet of our life – ecological, economic, cultural, recreational, and so on.
So, whether you work in the landscaping industry or are just trying to achieve that picture-perfect lawn, remember that your choices can have positive or negative consequences. Which side of the equation do you want to be on for future generations?
Tech Terra Environmental offers ecological solutions for tree and turf care professionals. We specialize in environmentally conscious application products to improve plant and soil health for lawn care providers, landscape contractors and municipalities & schools in the tree and turf care industry. Please call to speak to a specialist at 609.468.1905 or email info@techterraenvironmental.com