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Protecting the Earth starts in your backyard this April

You may not find a better time to transition your lawn to organic, native or sustainable than this Earth Month. That’s because MGG and related organizations have developed programs, resources and events to support your transition. This support includes helping you:

Obtain spring lawn and garden care tips

MGG has plenty of factsheets to review for spring preparation of your backyard at bit.ly/MGGresources. If you would like more insight, however, MGG’s Ryan Anderson will attend and present at multiple fairs and sessions this April.  Starting tonight, Anderson discusses spring lawn care with the Glen Ellyn Environmental Commission (RSVP at bit.ly/MGGapr6). Anderson will disseminate MGG’s sustainable landscaping materials at Earth events in Elgin April 16th, Woodfield Mall April 23rd and Elmhurst May 7th.  Can’t attend any of these events, but still need tips? Sign our MGG pledge for month-to-month natural lawn and gardening information at bit.ly/MGGpldg.

Visit and Support our Pesticide-Free Parks

MGG supports and promotes many pesticide-free parks across the Midwest region. This includes parks in the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) of Elgin’s Lords Park turfgrass stand, River Forest Park District’s Priory and Keystone Parks and Clarendon Hills Park District’s Prospect Park. We highly encourage you to visit these parks, view the signage and snap pictures of them. On April 23rd at 3 pm, MGG’s Anderson will detail how compost topdressing helped improve the performance of these fields at the Elgin Public Museum in Lords Park.

Do you want your local park district, municipality or school to transition away from synthetic chemicals? Encourage them to attend MGG’s May 10th “Securing support for your sustainable landscaping project” webinar at bit.ly/MGGmay10.

Commit to a sustainable landscaping service for your backyard

This spring, MGG will help you identify organic, natural, sustainable and eco-friendly landscaping services by introducing Green Shield Certified (GSC) for Landscapes. GSC recognized landscaping services must pass a rigorous on-site evaluation and submit the products used to MGG annually to ensure they stay compliant with this sustainable standard for premium pest and weed protection.

Want to learn more or convince your landscaping provider to achieve GSC for Landscapes recognition? Attend MGG’s public “Design, installation and maintenance characteristics of a Green Shield Certified service or landscape” webinar at bit.ly/MGGmay12.

Reduce all yard maintenance this year

When it comes to protecting pollinators, less is more! A grassroots group in Appleton, WI started No Mow May to raise awareness and save bees native and non-native.  Participating No Mow May lawns had five times the number of bees and three times the bee species compared to mowed lawns.

Concerned that high grass will receive complaints from your neighbors, but still want to participate? Consider planting a native garden or eco-lawn.

Avoid treating your backyard for mosquitoes

Research indicates that mosquito insecticide treatments on individual properties may contribute to mosquito resistance and increase the risk of vector-borne diseases. First consider steps to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds such as dumping or draining catch basins, ditches and other flood prone areas as opposed to hiring a contractor to spray for mosquitoes.

We plan to share many more sustainable landscaping tips and practices during Midwest Grows Green Week May 7-14 at bit.ly/MGGweek.