“There is no doubt that the Liberty Prairie Conservancy’s impact in this county will be widespread. It offers opportunities to landowners that only a private, well-respected conservation organization can offer.”

–Tom Hahn, Executive Director, Lake County Forest Preserve District

Why is this important?

If you cut back on lawn chemicals, your lawn will be healthier for people, pets and wildlife, and streams and lakes will be cleaner.

The majority of lawn pesticides are linked to cancer, birth defects or other serious health problems, and are listed as toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency. Children and dogs are particularly vulnerable as they inhale air-borne ingredients or absorb them through their skin.

Also, when it rains, a great deal of lawn fertilizer washes into storm drains and is carried to streams and lakes. There, it causes algae blooms, heavy weed growth and serious problems for fish, tadpoles, turtles, dragonflies and other aquatic life.

If your lawn has been treated regularly with such products, your soil most likely supports very little life. Many pesticides and fertilizers damage the microorganisms that are essential to healthy soil. Healthy soil, in turn, allows for strong root growth and adequate nutrients for your grass. It also suppresses disease and can reduce pests.

Why is this important?

If you incorporate native shrubs or trees into your landscape, many of our songbirds and butterflies will have much-needed habitat.

Our remaining songbirds cannot survive solely on the Eurasian trees and shrubs that cover so much of our suburban landscape. They also need native trees and shrubs because of intricate food chain requirements. Many butterflies face the same issues. Shrubs and trees provide food, places to hide and rest, and places to lay eggs and raise young.

Native shrubs and trees provide a wise investment compared to delicate or high-maintenance cultivars. They are generally more resistant to disease and, once established, require relatively small amounts of water and NO fertilizer. Research repeatedly shows that a well-designed landscape that incorporates trees and shrubs leads to higher home values due to beauty, shade and sound absorption. Also, if you’re not big on soil, in turn, allows for strong root growth and adequate nutrients for your grass. It also suppresses disease and can reduce pests.

Why is this important?

If you remove invasive species from your property, Lake County's natural areas will be buffered from ecological stress and, depending on the site, water will be cleaner and soil will be healthier.

Invasive plants grow fast, produce lots of seeds, and have high germination rates. They tend to leaf out early in spring and stay green long after our natives have gone dormant – giving them a huge energy boost. In addition, these plants have few predators, pests, or diseases here in the U.S. As a result, many native plant species – and the wildlife that depend upon them – disappear from our woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. Many other aspects of ecosystem health can suffer as well, including soil chemistry, hydrology, structure and resilience.

Why is this important?

Many native plants are no longer common and most of our remaining songbirds cannot survive on the Eurasian ornamentals that make up so much of today’s landscape. Also, some compare the loss of native plants to the loss of mom and pop shops that have been replaced by national chains – they embody the local flavor and heritage of this landscape.

• If you can incorporate more native plants into your landscape, you will provide critical food and habitat to songbirds and other beneficial wildlife. You will help to buffer and connect Lake County’s remaining natural areas, and you will enrich your soil and make it possible for more stormwater to soak into the ground.

• Native plants are essential food and shelter for our beloved songbirds, butterflies and other beneficial wildlife. Many also have deep, fibrous roots that are exceptional at filtering stormwater, enriching soil and protecting soil from heavy rains.

Because of our unique geology and geography, Lake County has the richest variety of plants in Illinois – a landscape worth celebrating and cherishing.

Why is this important?

This exercise helps you understand where your stormwater goes and is a first step in recognizing your property’s impact on clean water in your local stream, pond or lake. It also helps you think about ways you might be able to help lessen flood issues that might exist in your community.

• If you can collect rain water or direct it to places where it can soak into the ground, flooding in this region is lessened.

• If you can reduce the amount of lawn chemicals or soil erosion washing off your property, water is cleaner and healthier for people, frogs, fish and other beneficial wildlife.

Lake County is a very watery landscape, with many streams, lakes and ponds that can become overwhelmed by heavy rains or snowmelt. Long ago much of this water would slowly soak into the ground but nowadays it frequently is channeled into the nearest waterway. Lawn chemicals and eroded soils are carried along, causing water pollution.

Why is this important?

If you reduce the amount of lawn on your property, you may be reducing the amount of water, chemicals and energy used while increasing wildlife habitat and – done well – your property value.

Lawn grass consumes a great deal of time, money, water and energy in America. It also leads to the application of a great deal of lawn chemicals that frequently cause health concerns for people and wildlife, and that leach into streams, ponds and lakes where they create issues with excessive algae and plant growth.

Why is this important?

If you know your soil conditions, you can treat your lawn and garden with what it needs rather than what advertisements or salespeople suggest it may need. This can save you money and lead to fewer chemical additives.

Lawns are often over-fertilized because symptoms are being treated rather than underlying problems, or because generalized assumptions are made. Soil testing can help you optimize your garden productivity, improve the soil's nutritional balance, save money (by applying only those nutrients necessary), aid in the diagnosis of plant culture problems and prevent over application of fertilizers (which could lead to problems for the nearby pond, lake or stream).

Knowing about your soil is especially helpful if you're undertaking a large makeover project. It can guide you in selection of both plants and soil amendments. It can also be particularly helpful if you have a lawn care company, as it can cut down on needless treatments – and payments for them.