Anastasia Wilczynski

Mowing your lawn less — even every two to three weeks — allows flowering plants to bloom, providing bees and other pollinators with the nectar and pollen that they rely on. Decreasing mowing gives flowers a chance to bloom uninterrupted and in greater abundance. Longer grass can also provide other benefits to invertebrates including shelter.

Pesticides are harmful to wildlife, to pets and to human health. Research has linked exposure to pesticides to a range of human health issues, including cancers, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, diabetes and fertility issues.

If you choose to fertilize your lawn, there are several actions you can take to minimize its impacts on water. First, make sure to only use the type and amount of fertilizer your lawn needs, starting with a soil test. Ask questions if a lawn care company applies fertilizer to your lawn. Most universities recommend 3 to 4 fertilizer applications during the growing season. Never fertilize before a rainfall. Of course, there is another option: don’t fertilize at all. You can actually have a healthy lawn by opting not to fertilize.

Trees are vital for resilience, storing carbon, sheltering biodiversity, and protecting water and soil. I will plant 2 trees in my yard, community, or through a local project to help ecosystems adapt and thrive.

I’ll take a short pre-survey to share what motivated me to join — and earn 15 points! (If I already took the survey by email, I’ll just mark this action complete to get my points.)

Rainwater collection reduces water waste and supports local needs. I will install a rain barrel or collect rainwater to use for outdoor tasks, such as watering plants or cleaning.

Conserving water helps protect this precious resource. I will shorten my showers to 5 minutes to save water and reduce energy use - each time saving up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water!

Mulching helps soil hold water and reduces runoff. I will mulch the base of trees or other plants at home, school, or in my community to improve water retention and soil health.