During the nicer weather, we all look forward to opening our windows to enjoy the wonderful scents and sounds of nature! Below are some practices that will enhance those experiences and preserve the bucolic nature of our town.
- No-Mow May: Skip or limit early season lawn mowing to protect emerging important insects such as bees and butterflies. Reduced mowing also reduces pollution and greenhouse gases which cause global warming. Use this time instead to add native plants to your property. Click here for more information about No-Mow May.
- Go Native: Look for native plants at spring garden sales as well as seed swaps (like at the Chappaqua Library) and native plant giveaways.
- Rethink Pesticides: The best defense against ticks and mosquitoes is a good offense, utilizing the natural predators born to eat them! Encourage tick predators such as birds and spiders to your yard and avoid the use of broad-spectrum pesticides, even if organic as they still harm the beneficial creatures.
- Grass Cycling: Adopt a grass cycling policy where grass cuttings are left alone after mowing, never removing them with leaf blowers. The clippings decompose naturally, adding valuable nutrients to your lawn for free!
- Gas-powered Leaf Blowers: The use of gas leaf blowers is prohibited from June 1 to September 30. Adherence to this law provides for an improved quality of life, protects human health, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Our pollinator and wildlife populations will thank you too!
You can also help improve the environment and the community we live in by volunteering! Contact the Conservation Board or the Sustainability Advisory Board for more information.