Staunton Green 2020

Sunday’s (Apr. 25) Washington Post had a great article about the importance of reducing the amount of fescue (also known as turf  or non-native grass) in our yards. Turf grass is now the number one “crop” in the Chesapeake Watershed. What’s wrong with that? The $5 billion we spend each year ($5 billion just in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed!!) on our turf includes among other harmful substances huge amounts of fertilizers with a terrifying abundance of phosphorous damaging our waterways.

Check out the article here.

Ready to make changes? See Gena Adams’ post on Apr. 23 on native plants.

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• How to create a more earth-friendly yard (bendbulletin.com)

Mark your calendar…
Dawn of a New Urban Landscape — The Natives Return
7 p.m, April 21, City Hall, Council Chambers

…and by “grass” we mean exactly that: the green vegetation in your yard right now that is a hassle to maintain. Wouldn’t it be better if your grassy yard actually did more to benefit the environment?

It can, and, SG2020 will be exploring the issue in depth starting this January. As you may know, switchgrass is an alternative fuel source that can grow right here.

We’d like you to be involved. Send us your thoughts and ideas for this series of events.

• What would you like to know about switchgrass?
• Do you have suggestions about public or private places in Staunton to grow it?
• Would you be willing to allow us to replant your yard next Spring as an example?
• What other topics would be of interest for us to explore together?

Drop us an email (stauntongreen2020 ~at~ gmail.com) or leave a comment here or at Facebook.

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