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Step 6: Reduce Lawn Size 

Purpose 

Lawns are considered to be “ecological deserts” because they support little, if any, life. By replacing lawn with native gardens and landscapes, you can attract and support pollinators and wildlife, while reducing mowing and eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticide use. 

Why It’s Important

Although some turf grass on school grounds is essential for sports and recreation, unused lawn can be eliminated and replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives. 

Deep native plant roots create healthy soil!

Wildflower meadows, rain gardens, or broadened foundational plantings can provide important environmental services. Deep-rooted native plants help create healthy soil, which aids in redirecting stormwater into the ground, lessoning chances of street flooding, and preventing pollutants from entering storm drains, streams, rivers and bays. 

Visit Step 6: Reduce Lawn Size on the Jersey-Friendly Yards website for more tips, tools and resources. Visit New Jersey Native Plants to learn more about the benefits of native trees, shrubs and flowers. Visit Avoid Invasive Plants to learn how invasive are a detriment to our native landscapes, and why we should plant natives.

Standard Actions

6A: Learn about the benefits of native plants. 

Provide a lesson to your students about native plants and their ecological benefits to our environment. Identifying and understanding the needs of native plants will help guide your species selection for your garden. 

Resources for Lessons about Native Plants 

General Resources about Native Plants

6B: Learn about the harmful impacts of invasive plant species. 

Provide a lesson to your students about invasive plant species. What are the implications of invasive species on our native ecosystems? What are some local level solutions? 

Ready to Submit Step 6?  

Upload the Required Documentation to Your Custom Link.

When you enrolled, you received a custom link from us for your action item uploads.

What to Submit for Step 6

  • Copy of your lesson plan about native plants. Include samples of student learning outcomes and provide photos of students engaged in your lessons. (6A)
  • Copy of your lesson plan about invasive species, focusing on invasive plants. Include samples of student learning outcomes and provide photos of students engaged in your lessons. (6B)

Standard Actions for Creek School Certification