Is it possible to create a good looking lawn using safe, sustainable practices?  Absolutely.  By adopting a few simple practices, you can have an attractive lawn, a safe place for your family and pets, and save money.  And, you can help the environment at the same time!

Click here  to see 10 simple tips on how to create and maintain a healthy, sustainable lawn.  

The foregoing is provided as a public service announcement and without promotion, representation, or review by the Village of Ardsley.

A carbon sink is a natural system, like a forest, that helps remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. Forests do this by absorbing CO2 as trees grow, storing it in their leaves, roots, trunks, and the soil. This process, called carbon sequestration, helps lower CO2 levels in the atmosphere for long periods.

While Westchester doesn’t have large forests like those in other areas, we can still create carbon sinks using local resources and strategies. Westchester features a range of ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and urban green spaces, that can all play a part in reducing CO2 levels. Here’s how to create or enhance carbon sinks in this area:

1. Plant Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs are powerful carbon absorbers. By planting native species, we support local wildlife and promote biodiversity. Studies show that urban trees in the U.S. capture nearly 23 million tons of carbon each year. Click here for a guide to native trees and shrubs.

2. Compost

Instead of throwing away kitchen scraps, leaves, or garden waste, compost them. Composting helps improve soil, stores carbon, and reduces methane emissions from landfills. Learn more about composting here.

3. Avoid Synthetic Fertilizers and Pesticides

These products are harmful to the environment and human health. Their production also releases greenhouse gases. Instead, focus on organic methods to support plants, like encouraging beneficial insects and using grass clippings or leaves as mulch for natural fertilization. Click here for tips on mulching leaves.

4. Nurture Healthy Soil

Healthy soil stores four times more carbon than all the world’s vegetation combined. Organic soil supports microorganisms that feed on and keep carbon in the ground. To improve soil health, reduce the size of your lawn and replace it with deeper-rooted plants or vegetables, which capture more carbon than grass. Learn more about healthy soil.

By using these simple methods, we can turn Ardsley's natural resources into effective carbon sinks, helping to reduce CO2 in the air and combat climate change.