Land management practices in agriculture and landscaping have led to an array of interconnected environmental problems. In particular, the reliance on mowed turfgrass as the default urban and suburban landscape is environmentally and economically costly. But there are alternatives! By rethinking how we approach lawn and landscaping, we can maintain the aesthetic of the traditional grassy landscape while adding beautiful perennial plantings that increase habitat, boost biodiversity and improve water management and quality. This approach could reduce the carbon footprint of suburban landscapes by as much as 80% while significantly reducing maintenance costs. Speaker Bio: Dr. Sara Via moved to the University of Maryland as Professor of Biology in 1997 after holding faculty research positions at the University of Iowa and Cornell University. Since 2014, she has been teaching adults about climate change impacts and solutions through the University of Maryland Extension. Sara frequently speaks to Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists and garden clubs. |