Sustainable landscaping is attractive while maintaining environmental balance with minimal care. The Pollinator Pathway pledge components are a good roadmap of the ways you can landscape in a sustainable manner:
Many recommended native plant lists available at Pollinator Pathway Northeast
- Smart lighting
- Light pollution reduction lighting basics
- Water Conservation
- Drip irrigation, water barrel conservation, timers
- Re-routing of gutter water to landscape support
- Water Conservation and Xeriscaping
- Re-using or re-purposing landscape elements, i.e.,
- Elimination of chemicals and pesticides
- Elimination of gas-powered lawn care equipment. Rechargeable electric equipment is increasingly available and affordable, as are services that no longer use gasoline
- Reduce Noise
- Reduce Pollution
Achievements to Date
- The Town of Fairfield uses organic fertilizers on all Town fields and open spaces (with the exception of golf courses)
- The Town utilizes various “Best Management Practices” for municipal grounds maintenance including Integrated Pest Management, water-conserving irrigation, permeable pavement, and Land Use Practices of native planting and pruning policy
- The Town adopted the Fairfield Pollinator Pathway Resolution in June 2021.
- The Town completed an inventory of properties and developed a site-specific approach to mowing, watering, treatments, plantings, and the management of invasive plants
- Development of retail partnerships with local nurseries in Fairfield as well as service providers who adhere to sustainable practices
Challenges ahead
- Educating residents and businesses about sustainable best practices such as non-fossil-fuel equipment, “leaving the leaves”, mowing at higher height, replacing lawns or portions of them with native grasses and plants or rain gardens, and inter-seeding with clover and organic options
- Working with local commercial partners to encourage the shift to organic landscaping
Sustainable Landscaping Benefits
- Organic landscaping practices improve soil and plant health, allowing the soil to retain moisture longer; provide more aeration of the soil, and improve soil texture. It encourages the growth of microbes, earthworms, fungi and other good bacteria that help to nourish plants, thus requiring little or no fertilizers
- Organic landscaping practices are safe for humans and pets, with no toxic or hazardous pollution of soil and water
- Strategic use of trees can help lower heating and cooling bills as well as maximize the inherent beauty of landscape
- Use of native plants encourages biodiversity and reduces need to water, which lowers ground maintenance expenses due to lower water use and fewer chemical treatments
- Fossil-fuel-free (i.e., electric) mowing and landscape tools minimize noise pollution and reduce your carbon footprint, and prevent harmful particulate matter in the air we breathe
2030 Goals
- Install native plant gardens at 100% of schools to be used as on-site field trips/ laboratories
- Promote Pollinator Pathway & Green Corridor programs so that residents and businesses understand the importance of their participation. Encourage participants to certify their landscape and prominently display signage to promote the programs
- Increase awareness and control of invasive species
- Expand organic landscaping practices to all Town golf courses
- Expand use of residential electric-powered options for landscaping tools
- Encourage local landscape companies to use electric blowers, chainsaws and other landscape tools
- Adopt ordinances banning and/or regulating turf fields PFAs, PFOAs, glyphosate, and other cancer-causing chemicals
- Adopt a version of the state drought ordinance to mitigate against excessive watering
How Do We Reach Our Goals?
- Educate residents through seminars and online resources on the use of organic landscaping; pollinator-friendly options; low-impact development to manage stormwater runoff; and conversion of portions of lawn to wildflower meadows
- Focus outreach and engagement with the two universities in Fairfield
- Partner with Fairfield Public Schools and PTA Green Teams to educate students and parents
- Educational outreach followed by retail lead generation and promotions with local nurseries to increase sustainable native, and non-invasive plantings
- Provide resources that outline invasive species identification, removal techniques and replacement options
- Promote the benefits of non-polluting, quieter landscaping equipment to local landscaping companies by the identification of equipment suppliers and trade in promotions
- Continue to engage town administration in sustainable initiatives
- Increased education and awareness of natural methods (pull invasives, e.g., Japanese Barberry, protect opossums…) of pest control to reduce and or eliminate chemical introduction in natural environments, judicious use of organic tick, mosquito and flea control, to prevent killing bees and other beneficial insects