and Safe Yards Montclair


  • With lawn care season here, this is a great time to learn how your yard can play a role in reducing toxins in our communities.  It is so critical that each of us understand the heavy price that public health, water quality and the environment can pay for our lawn care choices. And just as important, is understanding what the safer lawn care options are for residents. Every yard CAN make a difference.


    We are urging residents, schools and park managers in Montclair, Essex county, and the rest of New Jersey, to reconsider their yard care practices, just as schools, towns, states and countries are starting to ban certain lawn chemicals. And, you don't have to sacrifice an attractive lawn nor playable field. We are lucky to live in a time where safer lawn care and landscaping alternatives exist that are not only highly effective, but will save people money over time.


    The "perfect" suburban lawn is not longer in vogue. You can have a green yard and a safe yard.

    "Chemical-Free" means you do not use synthetic pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) nor chemical fertilizers, and ideally not gas-powered machinery to care for your yard. The reasons to make this switch are strong:

    • Pesticide-Treated Lawns can be toxic to humans, pets, and wildlife. And pesticide residues can track indoors and remain for year.

    • Polluted Waterways: Pesticides, herbicides and excess fertilizers can be washed from lawns into local watersheds disrupting aquatic ecosystems.

    • Waste of a Precious Resource ... Water: Large quantities of drinkable water are diverted to lawns, especially during the summer and large amounts of energy are required to get the water to your hose.
    • Air pollution: Gas mowers are estimated to produce about 5% of the nation's total air pollution.
    • Green-house gas emissions: From gas mowers, leaf blowers, and fertilizer production.
    • Helps honey bees: Who are critical to our food system and who are in decline. Clover and dandelion are great food sources for honeybees!
    • It's better for your lawn: Chemicals give your lawn an artificial boost, but deplete your soil of important nutrients. Organic materials feed the soil and the grass.  Overtime, your lawn will need little maintenance as it becomes sustainable
    • Saves you money over time: As the soil improves, it requires less maintenance

     

      Read more about impacts here.


    "Pesticides and synthetics are simply counter-productive to the creation of a healthy system as they do nothing to contribute to soil health. When pesticides are taken out of the equation over time, soils and ultimately grass plants, get healthier." 

    Chip Osborne, a national expert and trainer in natural lawn care.

     

     There are several things you can do to help reduce these yard care toxins in your own backyard and community.


    1. If you have been practicing conventional lawn care, then please pause and educate yourself about the risks and safer alternatives. And make the switch to organic, eco-friendly practices. We have a nice list of local organic lawn care professionals and native gardeners. Email us for this list: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


    2. If you have been practicing natural, organic lawn care, join us in inspiring others to make this shift.


    Learn how here.

     

    Inspiring words from Sara, a Montclair resident:

    "I am against using any chemicals on our lawn because of the environmental and health risks. As a mom, my top concern is my children and I will not risk their exposure to carcinogenic and hormone-disrupting chemicals.  But I am also mindful of the larger implications that lawn chemicals pose. There is no way that chemicals will stay contained on my lawn; it is inevitable that they will run-off into neighbors' lawns, the streets and eventually our waterways. Along the way, this run-off poses threats to pets, wildlife, vegetation and ultimately, our drinking water. While there are more and more alternatives to fossil fuels, there will never be a replacement for water. We all must do our part to preserve clean drinking water for generations to come."

    Read what other residents and lawn care professionals are saying here.


     

     

     

    Safe Yards Montclair

    - Hey Kids: Poster Contest for Our Earth sponsored by Safe Yards Montclair & Whole Foods Market in Montclair. May 18th through June 18th 2012!

    Winning poster hung at Whole Foods Market in Montclair this summer and fall! Learn more here.

    - Take the Safe Yards Challenge, Montclair residents!

    Make the shift to safer lawn care practices. Help others to do the same. Post a Pesticide-FreeZone Ladybug sign on your front yard, school or house of worship. Join residents who are showing support for yards that are safe for kids to play, pets to sniff, bees to buzz and neighbors to open their windows! WIN A PARTY! You could even win a party for your block/neighborhood, if you have the most signs posted. Learn more here.

    - Two Schools take the Safe Yards Challenge! The Montclair Cooperative School and Union Congregational Nursery School partner with Safe Yards Montclair, asking parents to take the Safe Yards Challenge. Funds raised for the schools. Let us know if you would like to bring the Challenge to your school.


    UPCOMING EVENTS:

    - Sunday May 20th, visit our table at the Annual Tour de Montclair 2012. Better yet, participate in the event and support this exciting day of health and wellness! Read more here.

    - Poster Contest for Our Earth for kids 11 years and under, sponsored by Safe Yards Montclair and Whole Foods Market in Montclair launches May 18th through June 18th, 2012.


    OTHER PROJECTS:

    - Pesticide-Free Schools:

    Safe Playing Fields Act is reintroduced! Legislation protecting New Jersey Children from toxic lawn chemicals at day care and school.

    - Hire an organic, eco-friendly lawn care service in Essex, Bergen and Morris Counties. Email us for a list to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

     

    • With questions, suggestions
    • To volunteer with us
    • To get a list of organic lawn professionals
    • To order your Pesticide-Free Zone ladybug sign
    • To have us table at an event, speak to a group
    • To share your stories

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Watch this video of a 13 year-old in a Northern Virginia suburb, urging her community to just say "No" to pesticides.