Ecosystems and Biodiversity

A healthy and sustainable landscape provides us with food, beauty and recreation. By understanding our land and the web of life it supports, we can become good stewards of our landscapes and our Earth.

Protecting Pollinators

 According to the U.S. Forest Service, 80% of all of our crops require pollination, from sunflowers and apple trees to Brussels sprouts and onions. Unfortunately, bees and other pollinators are facing threats to their species, which has devastating consequences for our ecosystems and many of the crops that we eat every day. One of the biggest threats facing pollinators is one of the world’s most widely used insecticides, neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids are systemic and persistent neurotoxins that spread throughout a treated plant—including to the pollen that is gathered by pollinators, harming or killing them indiscriminately.

You can take action to protect pollinators by becoming a "Bee Safe" home and not applying systemic pesticides to your yard. Learn more about the Bee Safe initiative by visiting the Bee Safe webpage. If you are a developer, please view Item 9 (pg. 10) of the Enhanced Development Menu Applicant Resource Guide for pollinator-friendly landscaping resources.

Sustainable Landscaping

You may have heard that lawns are bad for the environment, but do you know why? According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, lawns across the U.S. consume nearly 3 trillion gallons of water per year, not to mention 200 million gallons of gasoline used for lawn maintenance equipment and 70 million pounds of pesticides to keep the insects at bay.

Fortunately, there are many alternatives to traditional home lawns, including xeriscape, wildlife gardens, and food gardens. Click below to learn more!  You can also visit the Outdoor Water Conservation Program webpage for low-water landscaping resources and incentives.