In the early 20^th century, lawns became a central part of the American landscape. The White House without its lawn, for instance, would be unthinkable. Today, home lawns throughout the nation comprise roughly 21 million acres.  Back yards and front yards are undeniably part of the human landscape, and along with trees, shrubs and other plants, provide important lessons in photosynthesis, water filtration, carbon storing, and more.

Parents and children can ensure their home landscape not only provides a healthy place to play and relax, but also does its part in creating oxygen, capturing carbon and keeping the home cooler during hot summer months. Additionally, by following some simple steps that the whole family can enjoy together, the back and front yard can work for the larger environment, too.

Below are tips from TurfMutt, a caped dog crusader – and the face of a new Discovery Education program – who aims to help kids get outside and understand the importance of the everyday green spaces all around us.

1. Fertilize Naturally.  Lawns take up the largest amount of carbon when they recycle nitrogen contained in grass clippings. So, take off that mulcher bag and leave clippings on the ground while mowing to break down and feed your grass naturally.  And, how about applying some compost to your lawn in the Spring or Fall with your seed spreader?
2. Plant the Right Plant. It’s important to choose grass or plants that are right for the climate in which you live.  Then, plants will need less water and fertilization to survive. Go to your local nursery or http://www.turfmutt.com/resources/ to find your climate zone and discover what plants are native and will grow well in your area. For instance, if you live in a drought-prone area, select plants and grass that withstand heat and need less water.

1. Prune Regularly. A single grass plant can have 300 miles of roots. Roots grow strong with appropriate watering and proper pruning. Mowing your lawn regularly, similar to pruning perennial plants and flower gardens, keeps grass healthier, thicker, and in a “growing state,” ensuring carbon is captured and oxygen is emitted at their highest levels.
2. Water Early.  Watering in the early morning before the sun is intense helps reduce the water lost from evaporation. Installing rain gutters and collecting water from downspouts also helps reduce water use. Trickle irrigation, drip irrigation or smart controller systems help reduce water use and meet the needs of plants. Or, when drought conditions exist, let the grass go dormant.
3. Create More Green Space. Lawns and other green spaces lessen the “heat island” effect, especially in urban areas, keeping surrounding areas cooler. Is there an area in your neighborhood that could benefit from some green space?  If so, plant a garden for tasty veggies or a lawn area for play and relaxation.

Try one or more of these tips to keep your backyard healthy and “green” in a responsible way.  And, find out more tips and information at TurfMutt.com.

Choose the right turf grass species.
Different types of grass are better suited for different parts of the country. Work with a professional to determine the best species for your local microclimate. Also, be sure to find the appropriate match for your specific landscape conditions such as soil type, average rainfall and sun exposure. And, buy high-quality grass seed. It will be a better investment.

Mow your lawn high to develop deep roots.
Cutting your lawn too short is a common mistake that can encourage weed growth, increase heat stress during dry or hot periods and make your lawn more susceptible to insects and disease. Set your mower blade to a height that cuts no more than the top third of the grass plant. Longer grass leaves allow for growth of a stronger root system, which not only reaches more soil moisture and nutrients, but also adds to carbon intake.

Keep your mower in good shape.
Periodically examine the mower blades for damage, and adjust the wheel height for an even cut. At the outset of each growing season, have your mower tuned up and the blades sharpened by a professional or yourself. An unsharpened mower blade can rip or tear the grass, creating a breeding ground for disease and other problems.

Leave clippings on your lawn.
Leaving grass clippings on your lawn recycles plant nutrients back into the soil. Grass clippings contain 4% nitrogen, 0.5% phosphorus and 2% potassium — the same beneficial nutrients as fertilizer. Left-over clippings can provide up to one-third of the annual feeding requirement for your lawn.

Water responsibly.
Water early in the day, between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. to ensure that the sun won’t rob moisture from your lawn and all that water reaches and stays at the roots.

In addition to the new resources, educators can enter the ‘Spruce Up Your School’ Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $5,000 grant to give their school’s play area an eco-friendly makeover. Two runners up will receive “Green Packs,” complete with eco-friendly, TurfMutt-branded school supplies for the whole classroom. Educators may enter once a day, every day to increase their chances of winning.

Based on TurfMutt’s tremendous success among 3-5 grade teachers in its first year, the program has now been expanded to meet the needs of K-2 classrooms. Designed to get students outside investigating the benefits of landscaping and recycling, TurfMutt online lessons and resources help students understand the importance of the green spaces that surround us daily such as lawns, flowers, bushes and trees.

“TurfMutt has helped open my students’ eyes to a new way of learning about our nations’ various ecosystems and has inspired them to take a deeper interest in preserving their environment,” said Wendy Palese, a fourth and fifth grade teacher for Mechanicsburg Area School District in Pennsylvania. “The interactive, kid-friendly TurfMutt website is more intriguing than ordinary classroom materials and encourages students to explore and research science beyond what they read about in their textbooks.”

“TurfMutt gives students the unique opportunity to connect what they learn in school to the important environmental choices they make on a daily basis,” said Mary Rollins, Discovery Education vice president of educational partnerships. “We are thrilled to expand the program to all K-5 classrooms to help spark students’ natural interest in science and encourage them to explore their curiosity beyond the walls of their classroom.”

A 2011 study published in the journal Science Education finds that sparking students’ interest in science at an early age is more effective at steering them toward eventual careers in the “STEM” fields – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – than pushing high school students into more advanced courses.

“What’s great about the TurfMutt program is that it reminds students that science is right in their backyard – and all around them as they play outside,” said Kris Kiser, President of OPEI. “TurfMutt is filling a need for lessons plans that teach science and get kids outside in nature.”

OPEI and Discovery Education have created a dynamic digital curriculum led by Lucky, a real-life rescue dog who encourages kids to protect the land around them and fosters an appreciation of natural surroundings in their own community.  In addition to lesson plans, engaging activities, puzzles and videos, students can enjoy an interactive map about ecosystems across the country. With these resources, teachers can emphasize the benefits of landscaping in balance with local environments, and instill a new appreciation for environmental issues.

Lesson plans can be found at: http://turfmutt.discoveryeducation.com/educators.cfm

About Discovery Education

Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) revolutionized television with Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education.  Powered by the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Discovery Education combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement.  Already, more than half of all U.S.schools access Discovery Education digital services.  Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

About OPEI’s Education and Research Efforts

OPEI’s Education and Research efforts focus on developing educational materials, supporting research and furthering programs to foster environmental stewardship and an appreciation of our parks, forests, lawns and landscapes.  Priorities revolve around environmental best practices and stewardship in the care and enjoyment of our green spaces and safety education that ensures safe and proper use of outdoor power equipment.

“We were unsure about the study’s outcome, but existing data shows that a net carbon benefit exists from well-managed turfgrass, such as the typical American lawn,” said Dr. Sahu, who reviewed existing data to determine the carbon sequestered by turfgrass, such as household lawns, golf courses, and sports fields, as well as wild grassland systems. “When you take care of your lawn and promote a healthy root system, your lawn acts as a carbon sink, pulling and storing away carbon.”

The report, titled Technical Assessment of the Carbon Sequestration Potential of Managed Turfgrass in the United States, assesses the carbon benefit of well-managed turfgrasses that are cut regularly and at the appropriate height, fed with nutrients, such as grass clippings, watered in a responsible way, and not disturbed at the root zone.

“It turns out that you can reduce your carbon footprint right in your own backyard,” said Kris Kiser, Vice President, Public Affairs, OPEI. “Mowing grass and pruning shrubs and trees keeps plants in a growing state. This, in turn, ensures they are actively pulling carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas — from the air.”

Added Dr. Sahu, “your lawn, if managed properly, can be essentially a decent foot soldier in our quest to reduce our carbon footprint. The key is to actively manage your lawn to improve its carbon intake, and not letting it ‘go to seed’ and into a “dormant state.”

Dr. Sahu has taught and continues to teach numerous courses in several Southern California universities including UCLA (air pollution), UC Riverside (air pollution, process hazard analysis), and Loyola Marymount University (air pollution, risk assessment, hazardous waste management) for the past fifteen years.

Dr. Sahu has and continues to provide expert witness services in a number of environmental areas in both state and Federal courts as well as before administrative bodies.

Editors Notes
Stock video footage of lawn care activity and Dr. Sahu speaking about the report is available to media outlets at http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/33322/press.shtml.
Downloadable, high res photos of Dr. Ron Sahu and Kris Kiser are available at http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/33322/press.shtml.
Requests for interviews with Dr. Sahu or the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute can be made to Caroline March-Long at 434-295-5938.

About OPEI
OPEI is an international trade association representing the $15 billion landscape, forestry, utility and lawn equipment manufacturing industry. OPEI is committed to ongoing efforts to ensure consumer safety and access to outdoor power equipment in order to maintain and enhance outdoor landscapes. OPEI works with federal, state and local groups to ensure that equipment operates efficiently, effectively and is fully emission compliant. For more information on OPEI visit www.opei.org.