Posted by Elsabe Falkson, Kingston
A D7040-wide endeavour to promote urban biodiversity is underway! It starts with two projects this Spring:  Lawns and Lights.
 
1. Lawns   (Bee Friendly No Mow May)
Homeowners are fiercely proud of their immaculate emerald green “weed-free” lawns. I too, am proud of my green lawn.  I love it when kids (now grandkids) rough and tumble on the lawn. To be honest, it is nice too, when the neighbors feel the grass is greener on my side of the fence.
 
Beyond the concept of the perfect (monoculture turfgrass) suburban lawn is a much more troubling environmental issue:  Monoculture lawns mean less biodiversity. Lawns are often maintained using chemicals (fertilizers) that leach into ecosystems, our homes and lakes, and rivers.  For many decades, companies (selling turfgrass and mechanical and chemical products to maintain lawns) advertised lawns, emphasizing this beauty, coupled with solid family and community values: Over time, “perfect” lawns became a part of social status. Thus comes the narrative that the picture-perfect suburban home (North America’s white picket fence, eh?) is incomplete without a neatly manicured lawn. Lawns are also very much a colonial heritage. Remember, before fossil-fueled mowers, trimmers, and blowers were invented, the work was done by slaves, minimum-wage labor, or exhausted owners with push-blade mowers and oversized rusty clippers. A colonial mindset, I’d wager.
Here is an abstract is from one (2019) research paper “Ecological and economic benefits of low-intensity urban lawn management”. *1
 
1.         Intensive management of urban lawns is globally widespread, predominantly for aesthetic reasons. However, a growing body of knowledge demonstrates the negative ecological and environmental effects of this practice. (Economically it does not make sense)
 
2.         [the authors] present a meta-analysis of North American and European studies from 2004 to 2019, which incorporates three previously unpublished datasets from eastern Canada, to investigate how mowing intensity impacts the ecology of urban lawns.
 
3.         The meta-analysis provides aggregated evidence that invertebrate and plant diversity is lower in urban lawns under increased mowing intensity. This decline is independent of the level of contrast between mowing ‘treatment’ and ‘control’ (e.g. height or frequency of mowing), which differed considerably between studies. Intensive mowing also increases the occurrence of pest species (e.g. herbivorous beetle larvae and allergenic plants), though studies in this group were limited to northern environments. Changes in ecosystem-level variables (soil temperature, soil moisture deficit and carbon deficit) were less evident and suggest changes in abiotic processes may take longer to become apparent.
 
4.         An economic case study of the mowing costs in Trois-Rivières, Canada, suggests that cost savings of 36% may be possible with a modest reduction of mowing frequency.
 
5.         Synthesis and Applications. Increasing urban biodiversity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are strong motivators for reducing lawn management intensity. We also suggest that the benefits of reducing pest species while saving lawn management costs may provide additional social and economic incentives for decision-makers to review urban greenspace management practices.
 
These Researchers from the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières also found that reducing the intensity of trimming lawns in urban areas can also reduce pests and weeds (specifically ragweed) that cause allergies.
 
There is ample research showing environmental, economic, and health benefits from mowing less and moving away from monoculture lawns, and developing naturalized gardens.
The first step for Rotary Clubs is to create awareness of the importance of urban biodiversity and pollinator survival (resulting in communities’ access to local food and ultimately food security) and to promote incremental changes in our citizens’ gardening activities.  By discouraging early mowing practices we can facilitate early flower growth in spring, making a huge difference to bee and pollinator survival. The Bee Friendly, No Mow May movement is gaining traction throughout Canada.  
 
We advocate for:
•          Allowing and promoting taller grass in May, with the cities leading by example and promotion. ( (Owners can of course mow a patch for Poochie to do his business, or kick a ball if you must.  But leave some for the bees please!)
•          Allowing lawn signs in front yards to explain and promote the Bee Friendly No Mow May movement
 
We also have to create awareness of the air pollution we caused by mowing, trimming and blowing. Emissions from (fossil-fuelled) mowers, blowers, and trimmers are an important source of toxic and carcinogenic exhaust and fine particulate matter (EPA Paper*4).
 
The solution is less mowing and the promotion of “alternative” lawns with native ground covers and more spaces with naturalized gardens (over time). Let us get back to biodiversity. Yes, you will find more critters in your lawn, snakes even! Every year I let out at least one little scream when I disturb one, but I know they are harmless and necessary!  This poster is from the UK, our species are a little different.  It illustrates a point.
 
 
Many cities in Canada are promoting No Mow May now, for example, the City of Cornwall amended their Yard Maintenance By-Law to allow for property owners to have all grass and weeds on their properties to grow more than 15 cm for the month of May. We want to work together and avoid all conflict with cities and by-law officers at all costs. Clubs can use the project kit sent to presidents to contact local cities, asking for their support.
 
Since I became aware of the devastating effect of lawns on the environment I let go. I have not used fertilizer in 10 years. I stopped pulling dandelions (it felt like I was released from a seasonal bondage)!   I have allowed ground covers like thyme and white clover to establish themselves.  My lawn is still prettier than my neighbour’s, and greener and softer. Well, at least I think so! I am incrementally decreasing lawn size by enlarging flowerbeds with (native plants) and more trees. I had no idea how beautiful these native flowers, blooming in succession are.  Why on earth were they called weeds? Milkweed is so beautiful. Joe Pye Weed Eutrochium purpureum why are you called a weed?  My aim is to create a naturalized garden in the next few years.  I dose of healthy neglect, pulling invasives ( I have English Ivy, Periwinkle & Lily of the valley in abundance)  and tossing some native seeds in the mix is my current strategy, but I promise to do better.  I have a plan.
 
2.  Birds
 
Dim the Lights project in May (and in the fall ) when birds migrate.
 
 
 
 
Artificial light is scattered across the landscape of D7040, when birds migrate from about the 2nd week in May 15.  Birds are frequently attracted to lighting, especially during inclement weather events during migration. Unfortunately, lights can cause confusion, disorientation, and exhaustion - directly impacting their ability to migrate.
 
Birds disoriented by lights can circle structures for extended periods of time, leading to exhaustion or accelerated use of energy stores critical for migration. Birds attracted to lights on buildings and structures frequently crash into windows and collide into buildings, unfortunately ending in tragedy.
 
To participate: Be a Rotarian and spread the word, educate neighbours, schools, and other groups Lawn owners participate in  No Mow May by mowing less and putting up a free lawn sign ( sponsored by the D7040 and ESRAG). Remember the migrating birds as well in May and dim the lights.
 
If you have any questions, suggestions, stories or concerns, contact your District Environmental Sustainability Chair elsabe@falkson.ca .  
 
Here is a list of references and relevant resources.
*1 Ecological and economic benefits of low-intensity urban lawn management.  Christopher J. Watson, Léonie Carignan-Guillemette, Caroline Turcotte, Vincent Maire, Raphaël Proulx.  Journal of Applied Ecology, British Ecological Society
*2 By-Law Number 2007-136:  A By-Law To Provide For Maintaining Land In A Clean And Clear Condition As Amended By By-Law Number 2021-105 July 13, 2021
*4 National Emissions from Lawn and Garden Equipment Jamie L Banks, PhD, MS* Robert McConnell, Environmental Engineer, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1
 
There are many more resources, here are a few examples
https://ecologicaldesignlab.ca/communications/videos/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/19/lawn-mowing-reduction-can-help-wildlife-says-study
https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/story/48371/the-no-mow-may-challenge-is-on/