New York

The outdated European aesthetic of water hogging manicured lawns sprayed with chemicals that kills all insect and plant life while killing the soil life (that needs MORE chemicals and water) is what should be shunned.

Leaves don’t fall to the ground to give you chores to clean up—it’s nature’s 4 billion year design to protect its roots, retain soil moisture and provide habitat for wildlife. Layers of decaying plant matter as self-mulch is beautiful—just like a walk in the woods.

This isn’t leaving abandoned cars or trash on your property. This is actually the landscaping that fits the region.

We have lost 70% of our insect species due to poisoning and loss of habitat. Insects are a keystone species for the food chain, including baby birds. We need our pollinators and other bugs so the rule should be to provide habitat for them as the least we should be doing considering the massive urban sprawl and human encroachment that destroys so much in its wake.

And don’t get me started on leaf blowers!!!