Long Island or Lawn Island?

by Mike Bottini, Environmental Planner

As more and more of the South Fork gets subdivided and developed, more and more wildlife habitat gets converted into lawns. At this point, lawns probably cover more acres of Long Island than any other plant community.

Although some wildlife species can be seen on lawn areas (box turtles, deer, robins, rabbits, squirrels), very few can survive solely on this very simple ecosystem; other (more diverse) areas are critical for denning, roosting, nesting, overwintering and resting. Many studies have documented the reduction of an area's species diversity (not necessarily numbers of animals) as natural vegetation is replaced by lawns.

Also, some homeowners get carried away with trying to create the ultimate lawn. This vicious cycle involves applying fertilizers to achieve a lush green look, using pesticides to get rid of insects and grubs, spraying herbicides to destroy "weeds," watering to maintain a green color throughout our dry summers, and mowing for a carpet-like appearance. All of this effort can have adverse impacts on groundwater, nearby wetlands and beneficial wildlife, such as butterflies, tree frogs, peepers, Fowler's toads and insect-eating birds, which might be in the area.

What You Can Do For Your Own Yard:

  • Determine how much lawn area you really need. Identify the areas that you actually use for picnics, barbecues and children's activities, and plant the remainder with native trees, shrubs, wildflowers or other types of groundcovers that require little maintenance and are adapted to your soil conditions. In the long run, less lawn means less water consumption, less groundwater contamination, less mowing, fewer chemical additives, quieter neighborhoods, more wildlife habitat and more free time to observe nature in your backyard.

  • For the lawn areas you want to maintain, consider the all-American, melting-pot look: a mosaic of diverse grasses, clover and so-called "weeds." A higher diversity of plants in your lawn will cut down on the need for insect and grub control (fewer pesticides), and herbicides would be completely unnecessary. Remember: variety is the spice of life!

  • For more information on "naturalizing" your property, try to attend our annual spring workshop entitled "Landscaping with Native Plants," or contact Mike Bottini at 516-537-1400.