Most people take grass for granted, never stopping to consider the important role it plays in the world around us.

The use of turfgrass can help to reduce air pollution, purify our water supply and lower our energy consumption. Strategic use of lawn areas in parks and open space can often lower the heat island effect in urban areas and aid in reducing global warming trends.

So what can our lawns do for us?

Air Pollution

One of the best ways to reduce air pollution is have a well maintained lawn. Grass areas act as natural air filters to trap and remove dust and other particles from the air. Through the process of photosynthesis turfgrass absorbs carbon dioxide and releases clean oxygen in return.

We would not live long in a world without oxygen. Our very survival depends on it. The next time you are watching your grass grow, take a moment to consider how valuable it is to our air quality.

Through the process of photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and water, use sunlight to produce energy and release oxygen, helping to clean the air that we breathe.

Our lawns are incredible oxygen making machines.  A 25 square foot area will supply enough oxygen to support one person for a day.  A turf area 50' x 50' will produce enough oxygen to meet  the daily needs of a family of four.¹

Growth of our cities and the inevitable urban sprawl it creates also brings tremendous challenges for municipalities in management of water resources. Loss of open space to development is creating growing water quality issues as runoff of contaminants from hard surfaces such as roads and parking lots have increased, impacting water quality.

Runoff can be greatly reduced with the establishment of green spaces. Lawns and grassy areas purify water and filter contaminants as they pass through the root zone and into underground aquifers. Microbes in the soil help to breakdown chemicals and contaminants before they reach water supplies. Rain water filtered through lawn areas is often 10 times less acidic than water running off hard surfaces.¹