Description
Many of the fertilizers and pesticides that traditionally have been used to improve lawn quality have side effects when they are washed off into sewers, rivers, and lakes. Polluted runoff can ruin rivers and lakes as habitats for wildlife by changing the ecosystem in a number of ways.
Strengths
Low impact lawn care encourages use of native plant species which require significantly less maintenance and preserves the natural ecosystem, expanding habitat for local wildlife
Weaknesses
Native landscaping may not be considered as attractive as many of the plants it would be replacing and therefore property value impacts may not always be positive.
Examples
Example 1: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Description: A full website of instruction and resources about Natural Lawn Care and landscape practices that endanger the Lake Michigan ecosystem.
Example 2: Minnesota
Low-Impact Lawn Care in Minnesota
Description: A website with guidance and additional resources for the self-motivated lawn care provider.
Example 3: Minnesota
Description: The Low-Input Lawn Care (LILAC) program helps property owners reduce inputs of product, expense, time, and labor required to maintain a lawn. It includes a lawn renovation guide and other resources.