John
Altamonte Springs, FL
Think Outside The Lawn
Trees offer significant benefits to society. It is not wise to under-estimate their benefits to society. Here are the top five: (1) maintaining high air quality, (2) reducing the effects of wind (when properly selected/planted in fertile soil and maintained in excellent health and form), (3) cooling the air adjacent houses and communities, (4) reducing erosion and (5) reducing flooding by the continual absorption of water/run-off.
It is wise for communities to also look at the advantages of reducing our green lawn spaces and contemplate seriously about creating non-lawn spaces (i.e. xeroscaping and habitats for nature) that will not demand/require significant amounts of water and energy (i.e. cutting of grass etc.) to maintain.
Our reliance on perfect green lawns in most neighborhoods may, perhaps, be the most backwards, out-dated and energy wasting phenomena of our time/century. It is time for everyone to wake up and
Note: The Wildlife Foundation has a significant program that certifies yards that are converted from sterile green lawns to wildlife supporting habitats.
John V. Connor
School Psychologist
Professor of Education and Psychology
Former Registered Forester
Father of several of our planets future caretakers