Lawn to Habitat Program is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Assists residents in converting lawns to meadows or woods, supporting pollinator habitats and biodiversity.

Request Help Converting Your Lawn to a Meadow | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Conversation and Natural Resources Request Help Converting Your Lawn to Habitat One way to reduce your environmental footprint is by turning your yard into habitat. The Lawn to Habitat Program is available statewide and supports those who want to convert their yard into a meadow or woods. In Pennsylvania, there are two million acres of lawn.

\r\n Maintaining a lawn takes work. Grass needs fertilizer because the soil is poor. Also, fertilizers run off into streams when it rains.

\r\n Turf wants water when the weather doesn’t provide it. Mowing takes time and energy. It also removes food for pollinators, causing them to disappear.

\r\n To reduce your footprint, help provide clean water, and welcome birds and beneficial insects, let go of all that grass! \r\n Converting some or all of your lawn to woods or meadow: Shows you are a good steward of the land, Adds natural diversity and interest to your backyard, and Reduces the time you spend mowing.

\r\n Native trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, and warm-season grasses are better than turf grass for keeping soil and nutrients in place. In Pennsylvania, there are two million acres of lawn. Maintaining a lawn takes work.

Grass needs fertilizer because the soil is poor. Also, fertilizers run off into streams when it rains. Turf wants water when the weather doesn’t provide it.

Mowing takes time and energy. It also removes food for pollinators, causing them to disappear. To reduce your footprint, help provide clean water, and welcome birds and beneficial insects, let go of all that grass!

Converting some or all of your lawn to woods or meadow: Shows you are a good steward of the land, Adds natural diversity and interest to your backyard, and Reduces the time you spend mowing. Native trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, and warm-season grasses are better than turf grass for keeping soil and nutrients in place.

How to Get Help Converting Your Lawn to a Meadow The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Lawn to Habitat Program is available statewide and aims to support those who wish to convert excess acres of lawn to woods or meadow. \r\n The Department can provide technical assistance and resources, support partnership development and projects, and financial support and education to landowners and communities.

\r\n Many conservation partners are involved in these efforts, including non-profit organizations, local governments, and private landscape professionals. There may be local assistance available to you.

\r\n Learn more about opportunities for support: The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Lawn to Habitat Program is available statewide and aims to support those who wish to convert excess acres of lawn to woods or meadow. The Department can provide technical assistance and resources, support partnership development and projects, and financial support and education to landowners and communities.

Many conservation partners are involved in these efforts, including non-profit organizations, local governments, and private landscape professionals. There may be local assistance available to you.

Learn more about opportunities for support: Community and Watershed Forestry Grants Landscaping with Native Plants Penn State Extension Neighborly Natural Landscaping Mowing Savings Calculator (XLSM) Introduction to Insects (PDF) Penn State Extension Meadows and Praries: Wildlife Friendly Alternatives for Lawn Penn State Wildland Weed Management Xerces Society Establishing Pollinator Meadows from Seed The response to the Pocket Meadow Kits was incredible.

All 300 kits were spoken for within minutes, and it is clear Pennsylvanians are eager to create pollinator habitats at home. The response to the Pocket Meadow Kits was incredible. All 300 kits were spoken for within minutes, and it is clear Pennsylvanians are eager to create pollinator habitats at home.

Fill Out the Pocket Meadow Kit Interest Form If you would like the tools to create your own pocket meadow at home, here is a breakdown of the seed species included in the kits (PDF) . \r\n Planting guidance is provided in the links below.

How to Establish Pollinator Meadows from Seed Organic Site Preparation for Wildflower Establishment If you would like the tools to create your own pocket meadow at home, here is a breakdown of the seed species included in the kits (PDF) . Planting guidance is provided in the links below.

How to Establish Pollinator Meadows from Seed Organic Site Preparation for Wildflower Establishment Technical Assistance and Education The Department's Watershed Forestry staff provide technical assistance, presentations, and educational workshops to support landowners and communities interested in lawn to habitat projects: Project planning and design Maintenance recommendations Funding and program opportunities \r\n \r\n The department also supports conservation organizations, municipal staff, facility managers, and other professionals by providing technical resources, networking and training opportunities, and program development guidance.

\r\n Email the department’s Lawn to Habitat Program staff to request more information about the types of assistance DCNR can provide. Keep mowing your property until you're ready to begin site preparation.

The Department's Watershed Forestry staff provide technical assistance, presentations, and educational workshops to support landowners and communities interested in lawn to habitat projects: Project planning and design Maintenance recommendations Funding and program opportunities The department also supports conservation organizations, municipal staff, facility managers, and other professionals by providing technical resources, networking and training opportunities, and program development guidance.

Email the department’s Lawn to Habitat Program staff to request more information about the types of assistance DCNR can provide. Keep mowing your property until you're ready to begin site preparation.

Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) Grants The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community and Watershed Forestry grants opportunity is available to nonprofits, local governments, and academic institutions looking to implement lawn conversion projects and build local lawn to habitat programs. The application period opens annually from January to April.

\r\n If you’re a private landowner seeking financial support for a project, you cannot apply for the C2P2 grant opportunity. There may be a local program that can support you; reach out to learn more .

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community and Watershed Forestry grants opportunity is available to nonprofits, local governments, and academic institutions looking to implement lawn conversion projects and build local lawn to habitat programs. The application period opens annually from January to April.

If you’re a private landowner seeking financial support for a project, you cannot apply for the C2P2 grant opportunity. There may be a local program that can support you; reach out to learn more . Benefits of Backyard Meadows and Woods Converting lawn to meadows and woods provides many environmental benefits, including: Turf grass has shallow roots, and lawn soils are compacted.

This limits water absorption during rain. As a result, runoff collects fertilizers and pollutants from your yard and street. It then carries them into nearby streams.

\r\n Meadows and woods are better than lawns at absorbing stormwater and preventing flooding. Their deep roots help the water soak in. Turf grass has shallow roots, and lawn soils are compacted.

This limits water absorption during rain. As a result, runoff collects fertilizers and pollutants from your yard and street. It then carries them into nearby streams.

Meadows and woods are better than lawns at absorbing stormwater and preventing flooding. Their deep roots help the water soak in. Wildflower meadows and native trees offer food and cover for pollinators, butterflies, and songbirds; and reduce the need for the pesticides that impact them.

Wildflower meadows and native trees offer food and cover for pollinators, butterflies, and songbirds; and reduce the need for the pesticides that impact them. While not as neat and clean as a traditional lawn, meadows can contain up to 100 species of plants and are beautiful! While not as neat and clean as a traditional lawn, meadows can contain up to 100 species of plants and are beautiful!

Meadows and woods are low-maintenance (not no-maintenance). They need little watering, as they are drought-tolerant. They don't require a green thumb to keep them appealing, but good planning, preparation, and post-planting care is a must.

Meadows and woods are low-maintenance (not no-maintenance). They need little watering, as they are drought-tolerant. They don't require a green thumb to keep them appealing, but good planning, preparation, and post-planting care is a must.

What about the neighbors? We can restore habitat where we live, work, and play. While perspectives are changing about the traditional lawn, others may expect a more manicured landscape around homes and spaces that people frequent.

\r\n As you're planning your lawn to habitat project, integrate "cues to care" that signal that the area is intentional, well-managed, and desirable: Mowed edges along the planting, especially along paths and sidewalks Plant shorter plants along the edge of the plantings Maintain 30-feet from meadows and any structures Post an informational sign \r\n \r\n Penn State Extension offers a number of suggestions for talking with neighbors in its fact sheet on Neighborly Natural Landscaping .

We can restore habitat where we live, work, and play. While perspectives are changing about the traditional lawn, others may expect a more manicured landscape around homes and spaces that people frequent.

As you're planning your lawn to habitat project, integrate "cues to care" that signal that the area is intentional, well-managed, and desirable: Mowed edges along the planting, especially along paths and sidewalks Plant shorter plants along the edge of the plantings Maintain 30-feet from meadows and any structures Post an informational sign Penn State Extension offers a number of suggestions for talking with neighbors in its fact sheet on Neighborly Natural Landscaping .

Pennsylvania’s Watershed Forestry Initiative Restoring and maintaining woods and meadows across the Commonwealth is a key strategy for improving water quality and habitat. \r\n As part of the Watershed Forestry effort, the Commonwealth has a goal of converting 10,000 acres of lawns to forests and meadows to improve watersheds and waterways in Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay, while also providing habitat for wildlife and pollinators.

Restoring and maintaining woods and meadows across the Commonwealth is a key strategy for improving water quality and habitat. As part of the Watershed Forestry effort, the Commonwealth has a goal of converting 10,000 acres of lawns to forests and meadows to improve watersheds and waterways in Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay, while also providing habitat for wildlife and pollinators.