Townsend Organic Lawn Care Demonstration Site
Project Details
Year: 2008Location:
Project Manager: Karen Chapman, Chairperson, Town of Townsend Conservation Commission
Partners: Turgeon Environmental Services, Townsend, MA, Yard Spice Organics, LLC, Townsend Public Library, Westford Water Department, The Messenger, Inc., Townsend Recycling Committee
The Town of Townsend increased public awareness that organic lawn care practices provide a viable, effective and safer alternative to toxic substances currently in use. The Townsend Town Hall and Public Library have been established as demonstration sites of healthy lawns without toxic pesticides, herbicides, and synthetically produced fertilizers. Townsend developed materials leveraged from the Westford’s Healthy Lawns for Healthy Families Project to educate residents about the benefits of organic lawn care methods. The Conservation Commission hosted a public seminar at Town Hall in the spring to encourage the use of organic practices in Townsend and neighboring communities. Additional outreach included presentations at lawn care seminars and the Townsend Earth Day Celebration and monthly columns in the “Messenger” newspaper describing the project, organic practices, and the dangers of pesticides and herbicides. Following the completion of the project, testimonials from residents who have successfully switched to an organic lawn care program will be collected and promoted so that others will be inspired to make the switch.
You can check out the web site created under this grant on the Town of Townsend Conservation Commission link here.
Learn more about the services project partners Turgeon Environmental Services and Yard Spice Organics offer to help you go organic!
Check out photos of the Townsend project from the TURI 2008 Champions of Toxics Use Reduction ceremony here.
This page updated Friday June 27 2008