Keep Charleston Beautiful is happy to announce that five yards have been certified as Charleston Friendly in 2010. Join KCB’s sustainability movement and enter an application for your ecologically friendly yard for 2011.
Charleston Friendly Yards is a free and easy to apply program open to all Charleston residents, businesses, and community groups. The City of Charleston’s litter prevention/waste responsibility and community involvement and awareness division, Keep Charleston Beautiful, has designed a program to acknowledge those within Charleston who take pride in the appearance and quality of their yards and the natural world around them. The goal of this program is to encourage sustainable, environmentally sound decisions by acknowledging those in the community who have created beautiful yards while considering their impact on the environment and local community.
Why is it important to move toward sustainable yard care? The environmental hazards of conventional yard maintenance can have serious negative impacts. According to the EPA gas lawn mowers represent 5% of the nation’s air pollution. Air pollution impacts us all. Studies show that it increases asthma attacks, irritates lungs and impairs breathing. Our air quality is not the only thing impacted by lawn and garden activities, improper use of chemicals and over fertilizing can result in contamination of stormwater runoff. Chemicals entering the storm sewer system are generally discharged into local water bodies. These are the same waterbodies that we use for fishing, swimming, and other recreational activities. Chemical runoff entering our water system also negatively impact local aquatic life and causes damage to our beautiful wetlands. Improper disposal of yard debris such as grass clippings or leaves can cause blockages in the stormwater system resulting in flooding problems and standing water. All of these issues can be abated through creative simple solutions.
Charleston Friendly Yards wishes to recognize those who have made the commitment to finding sustainable solutions, whether it is an electric lawnmower, reducing chemical use or composting yard waste. Everyone can make decisions that help their yard maintain its aesthetics while protecting the natural beauty that is Charleston and creating a cleaner environment for everyone.
Charleston Friendly Yard applications are accepted year round and can be found online at www.keepcharlestonbeautiful.org or via email scalesj@charelston-sc.gov. Charleston Friendly Yards focuses on:
- Smart Planting
- Water Conservation
- Understanding Soils and Chemicals
- Limiting Waste and Emissions
- Providing for Wildlife.
Each applicant will be asked to answer five questions regarding the noted focus areas and their yard. Applications will be reviewed monthly. Each year Keep Charleston Beautiful will award the first 20 Charleston Friendly Yards with a cedar bird house donated in part by Lowe’s of James Island.
Become involved in Keep Charleston Beautiful’s sustainable yard movement and join others in the community that are making sustainable choices. Keep Charleston Beautiful hopes this program will lead individuals and the community further down the path of sustainability.
