Lawn care decisions play a large role in local water quality and the health of aquatic wildlife. The fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals we put on our lawns can be washed into nearby lakes and rivers in stormwater runoff. Once there, these pollutants spur algae growth, clog gills, decrease resistance to disease, and suffocate eggs and newly hatched larvae.
The IISG-led Lawn to Lake program continues to educate homeowners, landscapers, and master gardeners on natural lawn care practices that can improve soil health and protect water quality. The program works with community partners across the region to conduct training workshops and provide ‘how to’ resources for a range of audiences.
Lawn to Lake outreach has led to management changes on an estimated 22,415 lawn acres. These changes are expected to reduce the use of lawn care chemicals, including weed and feed, by more than 3 million pounds a year, protecting nearby aquatic ecosystems from chemical-laden runoff while fostering healthy lawns.
To learn more about how IISG is empowering communities and individuals to secure a healthy environment, check out our 2013 program impacts.
Maamuzi ya kutunza nyasi huathiri sana ubora wa maji ya eneo hilo na afya ya wanyama wa porini. Kwa mfano, mbolea, dawa za kuua wadudu, na kemikali nyingine tunazotumia kwenye nyasi zetu zinaweza kuenea kwenye maziwa na mito iliyo karibu kwa sababu ya maji ya mvua. Mara tu wanapofika huko, vichafuzi hivyo huchochea ukuzi wa mwani, hufunga matumbo, hupunguza upinzani dhidi ya magonjwa, na kuharibu mayai na mabuu mapya. Programu ya Lawn to Lake inaendelea kuwaelimisha wamiliki wa nyumba, wakulima wa bustani, na wakulima wa bustani juu ya mazoea ya utunzaji wa lawn ya asili ambayo yanaweza kuboresha afya ya udongo na kulinda ubora wa maji. Programu hiyo inafanya kazi na washirika wa jamii katika mkoa huo kuendesha warsha za mafunzo na kutoa rasilimali za "jinsi ya" kwa watazamaji mbalimbali. Mzunguko wa Lawn to Lake umesababisha mabadiliko ya usimamizi kwenye ekari 22,415 za nyasi. Mabadiliko haya yanatarajiwa kupunguza matumizi ya kemikali za utunzaji wa nyasi, pamoja na magugu na chakula, kwa zaidi ya pauni milioni 3 kwa mwaka, kulinda mifumo ya ikolojia ya majini ya karibu kutoka kwa maji ya kemikali wakati wa kukuza nyasi zenye afya. Ili kujua zaidi juu ya jinsi ICSG inavyowezesha jamii na watu binafsi kuhakikisha mazingira yenye afya, angalia athari za programu yetu ya 2013.