OUR PRECIOUS
PLANET
Being A True
Environmentalist
Begins Right
Under Our Feet
Turfgrass
-- Functional,
Recreational &
Aesthetic
The earth has
been good to us,
but we haven't
always been good
to it.
While
industry and
technology have
provided jobs
and goods to
make life
easier, the
effect on the
environment has
been
substantial.
But we can
help restore
this precious
earth with
something as
simple as
turfgrass -- the
earth's living
skin.
The U.S.
Congress has
acknowledged
these positive
benefits to our
environment.
"Turfgrass sod
in urban areas
and communities
can aid in the
reduction of
carbon dioxide
emissions,
mitigating the
heat island
effect, reducing
energy
consumption and
contributing to
efforts to
reduce global
warming trends."
Scientific
research has
documented the
many benefits of
turfgrass to our
environment. Our
turfgrass lawns,
parks and open
areas:
- Provide
a natural,
comfortable,
and safe
setting for
fun and
games.
- Release
oxygen and
cool the
air.
- Control
pollution
and reduce
soil
erosion.
- Purify
and
replenish
our water
supply.
Our
Environment
The satisfaction
of creating
beauty within
the landscape
can be rewarding
for you and the
environment.
With turfgrass
sod, the rewards
are practically
immediate.
- A well
maintained
lawn and
landscape
can enhance
the "curb
appeal"
adding as
much as 15
percent to
the value of
a home.
Pollution
Control
Today's improved
turfgrass
varieties are
very effective
in reducing
pollution.
-
Turfgrass
traps and
removes dust
and dirt
from the
air.
- 2,500
square feet
of lawn
absorb
carbon
dioxide from
the
atmosphere,
and release
enough
oxygen for a
family of
four to
breathe.
Nature's
Air Conditioner
Another benefit
that everyone
enjoys, usually
without notice,
is turfgrass'
tremendous
cooling effect.
- On a hot
summer day,
lawns will
be 30
degrees
cooler than
asphalt and
14 degrees
cooler than
bare soil.
- The
front lawns
of eight
houses have
the cooling
effect of
about 70
tons of air
conditioning.
That's
amazing when
the average
home has an
air
conditioner
with just a
three or
four ton
capacity.
- The
cooling
effect of
irrigated
turf reduces
the amount
of fuel that
must be
burned to
provide the
electricity
which powers
the air
conditioners.
- Watered
when the
grass plant
needs it,
turfgrass
will very
efficiently
and
effectively
use almost
every drop.
A Natural
Filter
Runoff water in
urban areas
carries many
pollutants.
-
Turfgrass
acts as a
natural
filter,
reducing
pollution by
purifying
the water
passing
through its
root zone.
Soil
Erosion
The clean gentle
strength of
turfgrass is the
most
cost-effective
method for
controlling wind
and water
erosion.
- A
healthy
sodded lawn
absorbs
rainfall six
times more
effectively
than a wheat
field and
four times
better than
a hay field.
- A sodded
lawn will
absorb
greater
amounts of
rain than a
seeded lawn;
even after
three years
of growth.
Fun &
Games
The soft
resilient
surface of
turfgrass is the
safest and least
expensive place
to play.
- For
backyard
ball games
or the Super
Bowl,
athletes of
all sizes
prefer the
green
cushion of
turfgrass.
-
Turfgrass is
the only
place for
putting,
picnics or
just plain
relaxing.
Our Mental
Health
Turfgrass
quietly adds to
the beauty of
our lives and
even our mental
and physical
health.
- Doctors
have shown
that people
recover
faster in a
hospital
when given a
landscape
view, rather
than seeing
only the
walls of
adjoining
buildings.
Turfgrass
. . . a
continuing
source of oxygen
and cool air.
. . . a
cleansing answer
to our
environment.
. . . a source
of beauty and
comfort.
With the
benefits of
turfgrass
working their
wonders for us,
we will be able
to share a
beautiful and
healthy planet
with our future
generations.
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