Healthy Lawns And Landscapes

HEALTHY LAWNS AND LANDSCAPES ENRICH THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS

There’s no disputing the facts, communities are strengthened when lawns and landscapes are healthy.
They are more peaceful, more enjoyable and better protected from environmental threats against them.
• Without proper attention, unwanted plants can wreak havoc in neighbourhoods by causing debilitating allergies that often force people to enjoy the outdoors only through windowed views.
• Healthy landscapes don’t just play a protective role — they are also great providers, offering incredible
health benefits to communities:

HEALTHY LANDSCAPES ARE THE ROOT OF HAPPINESS

To learn more about the essential benefits available from lawns and landscapes, or to find a landscape professional in your area who is committed to helping families,
communities and the environment, visit LoveYourLandscape.org.
» Neighbourhoods that incorporate community green spaces have lower incidences of stress, have lower health care costs and have an improved quality of life.1
» Research shows that just looking at plants and trees, even through a window, can reduce stress and lower blood pressure.
1. Walking in a natural environment with plants and trees has been shown to improve attention and memory.
2. Neighbourhoods with tree-lined streets and larger yard trees have reduced crime rates.
3. When landscapes are not protected, invasive species threaten them. Invasive plants and pests can take up residence, killing the grass, trees and plants that belong. Emerald Ash Borer, for instance, have killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America and woody adelgids have been the demise of hemlocks in neighbourhoods across the country.

HEALTHY LANDSCAPES ARE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Landscapes are often taken for granted. They are appreciated for their beauty, but many people don’t
understand the essential value they provide the environment. Here are some facts that may surprise you.

HEALTHY LANDSCAPES

• Clean the air. Grass and plants play a vital role in capturing dust, smoke particles and other pollutants to make our air cleaner. In fact, lawns alone capture more than 12 million tons of dust;4 add to that the additional absorption provided by trees and plants, and it’s easy to see the role these plants provide in creating a healthy environment.
• Protect bodies of water. When lawns are well cared for, they absorb unhealthy water runoff that might otherwise filter into bodies of water. It may be surprising to learn that an average, healthy lawn can absorb more than 6,000 gallons of water from a single rainfall event
• Provide oxygen. Grasses absorb carbon dioxide and break it down into oxygen and carbon. In fact, a 50’x50’ lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four.
• Act as natural coolants. Lawns can be 31 degrees cooler than asphalt and 20 degrees cooler than bare soil. Trees shading homes can reduce attic temperatures by as much as 40 degrees. These natural coolants reduce the need for electric cooling units, saving energy and reducing electric bills.
• Minimize noise. Lawns and plants dramatically reduce noise pollution; they can reduce noise levels by 20 to 30 percent over hard surfaces like concrete and pavement.
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