WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Messy, beautiful, and honorable

You can't eat lawns. The primary purpose of lawns is to make us feel good about ourselves. Then there is the almost biologic imperative which is the sound of neighbor Jones' lawnmower. You just have to, have to, keep up. Or, maybe your homeowner's association shames you if the manicure isn't clipped short enough or fertilized green enough.

When it comes to economics, lawns translate into the resale value of property.

Meantime, the federal government has declared a shortage on the Colorado River, reducing Southern Nevada's available water supply by 7 billion gallons. More reductions are likely in the coming years. And, significant parts of California are revealing their true nature...as a desert.

Lawns are a dominant landscape feature that is expensive to maintain. Admittedly they bring jobs but there is a high environmental cost in the world of lawn care whether it is the equipment that is being used or the fertilization of lawns. Leaf blowers for instance destroy habitats in the soil and pollute the air. The overuse of fertilizers kills pollinators.

Turf grasses (lawns) occupy 2% of the American landscape and require the equivalent of 200 gallons of drinking water per person a day.

A greater awareness of climate change has brought some new attitudes regarding lawns. For instance, California-style shaming is shaking a finger at neighbors who are caught over-watering their lawns.

It turns out that lawns do not have to be perfect. Some people are mowing less and accepting the presence of dandelions and clover. Some homeowners are trying out artifical turf. Artifical turf is a multibillion industry with a strong lobby. Its downside is it can smother the biome underneath it. Others, representing public and private spaces are replacing the "ornamental" value of lawns with perhaps more interesting ornamental alternatives that are climate friendly.

Crescent farm, located at the Los Angeles County arboretum and botanic garden, was created during California's 2015 drought period. Sheet mulching is one of the methods used to abandoned turf for low-water plantings. Cardboard and wood chips help build healthier soil.

With the help of volunteers, the elderly Maryknoll Sisters in Monrovia replaced 6.5 acres of lush lawn surrounding their retirement home with cardboard and wood-chip mulch in order to plant native grasses and trees. The retirement coordinator, Sister Arlene Trant said, the change brought a new spirit to the residents. She added,"It’s about the cry of the earth. We’ve neglected her for so many years, now we want to get in tune with what she’s calling us to do.”

The phrase "climate change" was not the only impetus for change in Great Britain. The nation was running out of space for nature. A movement grew to address the loss of diversity and communion with nature. Relatively untouched churchyards, such as St. John's in Leytonstone, had already served as natural sanctuaries for vulnerable species. This was encouraged through practices such as fewer mows. The St. John's churchyard, which is located in the center of its community, allows nature to speak along side of daily life on a busy road as a spiritual mandate.

There is nothing boring about addressing climate change in plantings when all natural elements rocks, sand, water, plants and trees are honored equally. Japanese gardens offer an elegant representation of this in small or larger spaces.

The siren call of climate change has lead to exploration of grasses and shrubs with root systems that can both survive drought and help stem flooding, including in urban areas. Experiments are occuring across the US.

Rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater, a new perspective on turf grass means it can be incorporated as an integrative space in balance with other diverse multi-purpose spaces with a purpose beyond the pavolian need to mow when the Joneses mow, e.g. throwing a frisbee.

This includes integrating food systems in large or small areas that also help address drought conditions and improve the soil. For instance, in the past year one farmer found that sorghum survived better under drought conditions compared to corn and wheat. In general farming practices are taking a more holistic look at eco-systems with the help of new technologies.

There is some awakening, whether it will be enough remains to be seen. Whatever the case, each individual and government can do something toward collective solutions to climate change.