We can all be Environmental Stewards...Just Outside Our Front Doors!

While it’s daunting to consider the global environmental challenges that we face, all of us can steward our little piece of land with some forethought and responsible decisions. From the plantings we choose to the hardscapes we create, nearly every decision we make about our property and landscape impacts our environmental footprint.

A Virtual Tour Around Our Property

Take a short stroll out your front door…sure, grab your coffee or drink! As you walk take in your surroundings – lawn, trees, bushes, plants, ground cover, patios, decks, walkways, lighting. We each have our own style and approach to creating and maintaining our outdoor space. Some of us become more attached to our property and its sanctity than others, but for those who own a home it’s nearly always a significant part of your investment.

The inside of our homes may be pristine or a mess, but far fewer strangers or neighbors will ever know whether we have mounds of laundry, dishes or magazines and books strewn about. Many more will know the state of our outdoor property. For that reason alone many of us are willing to invest in keeping up the appearances of our property. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think that we’re so superficial that we obsess over the appearance of our lawn, drive, shrubs and trees – no, not us – but we are all laid a bit bare as the weather improves and neighbors drive, walk or ride by with greater frequency. We don’t have the equalizing influence of barren trees, messy walks and snow-blanketed lawns. We get out and begin sprucing up, planting, sweeping, seeding, treating, mowing, watering and, aargh – weeding!  And that’s okay. In fact, I think it reflects as much respect and appreciation for our neighbors and neighborhood as it does at least a bit of our keepin’ up with the Joneses mentality.

But I digress. Back to our stroll. If you need to warm up your coffee, please do. As you walk your property ask yourself what you know about the improvements. Start with the big stuff – like that massive tree whose limbs are quickly encroaching on your roof and gutters. Is that a Silver Maple or a Red Maple? Would I know the difference? Is it healthy? How old is it? Does it support wildlife? Is its canopy appropriate or is it encroaching on other plantings? When it’s reached its natural life span what will we do? Replace it? What with? I know, stop already! Consider the same for your lower plants and shrubs. Then ask yourself about the material of your walk, patio or deck. How much energy went into its production? Are the materials sustainable? Recyclable? The questions can seem endless.

An Environmental Gem in our Backyard

Most of us aren’t arborists or even terribly well-informed on our trees, shrubs, and other plantings around the home. But we’re in luck. We have a living classroom right in our own neighborhood – well Lisle to be accurate. The Morton Arboretum is a vital resource to gain actionable knowledge that you can use to make better decisions about what to plant, how to maintain our properties and the many small steps that we can take to become better stewards in our own back – and front – yards. They offer classes, informative plaques as you walk the grounds, great food, an incredible children’s outdoor discovery museum (for the kid in all of us) and great staff who are always happy to engage and answer questions. And I promise you won’t find a better outdoor gym!

Before visiting their site – or better yet – making a day of it on the beautiful grounds – here are some questions to consider about your property and ways that we can all begin to be better environmental stewards:

1. What do I/we know about our trees and plants?
     a. Are they native to the region?
     b. Are they supportive of a healthy ecosystem in the region?
     c. Do they offer shade and help to reduce cooling costs of the home in warm months?
     d. Are they resistant to pests?
     e. Do they support pollination or help to sustain wildlife?
     f. How much watering do they require?
2. Have we considered further improvements to our property that impact the environment?
     a. Have we considered a rain barrel to capture water for our plantings?
     b. Have we considered a mulch barrel to spread as nutrient-rich cover for our soil?
     c. Have we considered a raised garden or flower bed to grow healthy vegetables, add some beauty and educate kids in a fun way on environmental issues?
3. Do we use chemicals on our lawn and trees/shrubs?
     a. If yes, how toxic are these chemicals to people and wildlife?
     b. Can we reduce or eliminate these chemicals – or consider a non-toxic treatment?
4. What can we do to create healthier and more natural hardscapes and exteriors?
     a. Have we considered the source of materials?
     b. Are they natural, renewable and local?
     c. Can we recycle or repurpose materials from replaced walks, patios, decks?
     d. Have we considered painting or refurbishing siding vs. replacing?

Here’s hoping that the next stroll you take around your property will have you beaming with pride that you’ve made one or two better decisions about your environmental stewardship!