OCTOBER 6, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015, 10:02 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Losing your lawn for the greater good was the theme at an event organized by the Bergen Passaic Native Plant Chapter and the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC).
The event featured a speaker who specializes in landscaping that aligns nature with function and design.
Christina Chrobokowa, a noted landscape architect, gave a presentation regarding alternative ground covers, which require less maintenance and resources in addition to being more environmentally-friendly.
Additionally, ground covers often use less water, which made the presentation timely as the village is currently under Stage 4 water restrictions. Ironically, the event was held on Tuesday, which was the first rainy night in weeks.
In the United States, there is almost 50,000 square miles of lawn, said Chrobokowa, almost three times more than the space occupied by corn. Lawns are still considered a coveted aspect of homeownership, even by millennials, she said, reporting that 83 percent in that age group said having a yard is important.
With the desire for a lawn still high, the aim is to strike a balance between meeting the needs of homeowners and the natural environment. While lawns serve as a place for active and passive recreation, relaxation and a place for pets to play, what currently exists on many properties is often not necessary.
“It’s not an easy road to travel when it comes to changing perspectives and a mindset that has been ingrained in people for many generations,” said Chrobokowa, referring to the lawn as “America’s most wanted and useless crop.”
https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/speaker-time-to-lose-lawns-1.1426299
