Colleges should use sustainable lawn practices
The bed of green that spans across Augustana emanates warmth and welcomes current and future students heading to class or touring campus.
Although the aesthetically uniform expanses of green that shape yards today date back to 17th century England, the negative environmental impacts from the upkeep of lawns need to be addressed now more than ever.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 28% of water use on college campuses goes towards landscaping. When lawns are watered during midday heat, water evaporates before it fully seeps into the ground. Sprinkler systems set in the early morning hours allow more water absorption into the soil, reducing energy use. This timeframe also is more convenient for people to avoid sprinklers that spray onto campus sidewalks.
Many college campuses across the country have implemented more sustainable watering systems to reduce water and energy waste, such as Yale University, a strong leader in campus sustainability. The school’s watering system is connected to a weather app, which shuts off the sprinkler systems when precipitation is forecasted.
Yale regularly aerates its lawn as part of its sustainably-focused lawn maintenance practice. The frequent aeration of campus grounds helps the soil breathe and soak in water and nutrients more efficiently.
To mitigate the loss of South Dakota’s temperate grassland biome that once flourished across the Midwest, Augustana has become one of many colleges native prairie garden, originally organized by alumnus Mia Werger.
Nestled beside Augustana’s archeology lab, the garden grows a wide assortment of vegetation, including Bluestem, coneflowers, Indiangrass and milkweed. The conservation of these plants brings awareness to native species that thrive in the South Dakota environment.
The University of Minnesota has converted more than 40 acres of campus lawn space to natural prairies, wildflowers and varieties of turfgrass as part of its sustainability goal. These spaces provide “habitat for wildlife and native pollinators while reducing the need for fertilizer and weed control in the area.”
With the increased interest in transitioning sections of lawn back to natural grasslands, questions arise: can all lawns eventually be replaced with native grasses and plants? Will there be a time when water is saved, pesticides are not used and native species are grown in abundance?
A mindset shift can be just as eco-friendly as incorporating sustainable lawn care tips. Let your lawn naturally fluctuate in growth and color and experiment with growing your own native prairie garden. If we individually make small changes to allow for more diverse lawns, less energy and resources will be used for the aesthetic purpose of green lawns.
For now, watering your lawn in the morning, paying attention to the forecast and frequently aerating the soil are a few easy tips to sustainably care for your own lawn this summer.
