BAY FRIENDLY YARDS: THE THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
Long Island invented the suburban lawn. Fields of
green with ornamental bushes brought in from all
over the world. All manner of care was required
-- watering, fertilizing, pesticides -- so that these exotics
and plants from other climates could survive here. But
this search for artifi cial “perfection” came with a heavy
price, especially for local wildlife and the ecosystem
services provided by our bays. Local waters, tainted
in part by lawn runoff, are on their way to becoming
lifeless. Populations of insects, including many
pollinators, as well as crustaceans, mollusks, birds, fi sh,
amphibians, and reptiles, have been decimated. It’s time
to move from the 1950’s to a future we want for our local
environment, for the Great South Bay.
How does one create a yard that is bay
friendly? By incorporating these three
essential elements:
#1 Habitat Restoration
There is no piece of land too small to make a difference,
and it can have either a natural or more manicured look.
Examples of habitat restoration include: Identifi cation
and removal of invasive species, planting of native plant
species, or reducing lawn area. What you plant depends
on your soil type - inland yards tend to have drier soils,
coastal waters naturally tend to have damper soils.
#2 Stormwater Management
Stormwater runoff, and the damaging nutrients and chemicals
that it contains, continue to degrade the Great South
Bay. A bay friendly yard is one that endeavors to maintain
stormwater onsite. Techniques include the use of rain
barrels, rain gardens, permeable pavers/pavement, and
planting native plants that require little to no additional
irrigation.
#3 Local Stewardship
We prefer the term stewardship to yard maintenance. An
obvious step one can take is to eliminate the wasteful and
damaging practice of the application of pesticides or fertilizers.
Instead, try mulching your leaves in the fall and
allowing them to fertilize your yard over the winter. Mow
less often and use a mulching blade where you can—every
two weeks is fi ne, and your lawn won’t grow out of
control. Continuous monitoring and removal of invasive
plants also constitutes good stewardship.
Learn More About Bay Friendly Yards
Visit our website at www.savethegreatsouthbay.org to
learn more and for more tips and information on how you
can have a bay friendly yard. Already have a bay friendly
yard? Get certifi ed on our website and proudly display our
sign.
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About Save The Great South Bay
Save The Great South Bay is a local 501(c)3 non-profi t that advocates
for and implements real solutions that help protect and preserve
the bay, and with that, strengthen our South Shore communities. Our
volunteer-riven activities include the Creek Defender creek clean up
program, the Great South Bay Oyster Project and a multitude of Habitat
Restoration programs. It’s our bay, our heritage — and our legacy.
It is up to all of us to protect it for today and for future generations
to enjoy. To learn more about Save The Great South Bay, visit www.
savethegreatsouthbay.org and follow us on social media.
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