Brookline is taking up ORI’s Natural Lawns with Healthy Soils Challenge.

Residents of Brookline are encouraged to participate in a friendly competition to pledge not to spread fertilizer on established lawns. Natural lawns have a diversity of plants between the blades and if cut every two weeks, a great diversity of bee species.

The Ocean River Institute is striving to have the most households committed to maintaining natural grass without applications of pesticides, herbicides, or quick-release fertilizer.

Much of the fertilizer put on lawns is washed away into our local waterways. Stopping the spread of fertilizers on lawns can prevent harmful algal blooms and weed growth by preventing the influx of nutrients.

Make the pledge to stop the use of quick release fertilizer for a healthier Hall’s Pond.