David Suzuki is a world-renowned scientist, broadcaster, activist, co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation and author of more than 30 books on ecology (written with files from Rewilding Communities program manager Jode Roberts).
The saying “the grass is always greener on the other side” encapsulates the eternal, often futile quest for something better. When it comes to the vast swathes of turfgrass lawn that carpet Canada, the phrase takes on deeper significance. Beneath their seemingly innocuous appearance lies the troubling reality that lawns consume excessive water, rely on harmful chemicals and offer little ecological value.
Although the exact extent of lawns in Canada remains uncertain, new research analyzing seven communities indicates that between eight and 22 per cent of each is covered in lawn. To put this into perspective, Toronto has nearly 80 square kilometres of lawns. That’s 50 times more area than High Park, one of the city’s largest green spaces. Similarly, Montreal’s 97 square kilometres of lawns are approximately 43 times bigger than Mount Royal Park. Even densely urbanized cities boast significant lawn coverage.
Given the pervasiveness of lawns, it’s difficult to argue with the wisdom of horticulturalist Rebecca McMackin in her recent TED talk “Let your garden grow wild.” She suggests lawns should be seen as area rugs, not wall-to-wall carpeting, outdoor spaces as havens for biodiversity rather than sterile monocultures.
Rooted in colonial history, these barren, thirsty, high-maintenance landscapes have become ingrained in our culture and communities.
Enter the LawnShare campaign (and its French-language partner Partage ta pelouse), a national effort to reimagine turfgrass lawns as vital habitat. Led by the David Suzuki Foundation, Dark Matter Labs and Nouveaux Voisins, this initiative seeks to revolutionize our relationship with these green spaces. No longer mere patches of green to be meticulously manicured, lawns present opportunities for creating habitats, sanctuaries for native plants and animals.
Studies have shown that reducing mowing frequency can yield substantial cost savings. By replacing traditional lawns with habitat, communities can enhance ecological resilience and reduce maintenance expenses over the long run.
Whether it’s through reducing mowing frequency or embracing alternative seed mixes, every action, no matter how small, contributes to a better, more environmentally friendly future.