We now know that our century long quest for the perfect lawn is contributing to our climate emergency. It's time to reimagine curb appeal. Natural climate solutions offer immense possibility for helping Kingston achieve its strategic goals. Presentation to Kingston's EITP Committee.

1. lawns are a
climate
catastrophe

2. It’s time to reimagine curb appeal

3. pesticides
emissions
of mowers,
blowers,
trimmers
water
waste &
runoff
fertilizer
polluting
waterways
noise
pollution
biodiversity
loss
It’s time to reimagine curb appeal

4. Adopting landscape care practices that reduce
emissions, store carbon & increase biodiversity

5. That reflect a unique spirit of place

6. And that promote the well being of current & future
generations of all beings

8. Natural climate solutions offer immense possibility
for helping Kingston achieve its strategic goals

9. But our bylaws need to be updated to reflect the
city’s commitment to greening & climate action
A Handbook for Municipal Biodiversity Planning and Management

10. the place we
inhabit

11. Mixedwood plains ecozone with the
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest

12. Native grasslands of Napanee Plain

13. a movement
is afoot

14. ALREADY in
Kingston

38. our ask

39. organic
mowing &
land care
practices
polyculture
hydroseeding
The city can model the way with new practices
prototype landscape alternatives
(e.g. verge along Oak Street
community garden)

40. ban two
stroke
engines
phase out gas powered mowers,
trimmers, blowers (2 stroke
engines)
bylaw
changes
(right NOT
to mow,
noise)
Update policies to support citizen action
reduce energy use, reduces
waste, provides natural cooling &
wind protection
targets &
incentives for
lawn
conversion
Imagine the impact be if we set a
target to convert 25-50% of
lawns?

41. simple
process for
adopting
green
spaces
support
wildscaping
&
foodscaping
(edible trail?)
incorporate into waterfront, K&P,
active transport plan
education, tourism, wellbeing
Co-create, with partners, experiences that help
trigger behaviour change

42. our offer

43. region
specific
resources,
expertise &
education
community
activation &
citizen
engagement
event ideas &
support

44. the downside

45. mindset of
the perfect
lawn
long
standing
habits &
behaviours
threat to
existing
business
models
Changing ideas about the perfect lawn is really about re-educating people to
think in a completely different way.
~Steve Schneider, Arnold Arboretum Harvard

46. the upside

48. increase
biodiversity
& local
resilience
reduce
stormwater
runoff
reduce
carbon &
nitrous
oxide
emissions
store
carbon

49. promote
food
security
beautify
city
reduce
noise
reduce
stress,
increase
activity

50. innovate
new
business
models

51. around the
world

52. Atlanta is striving to bring healthy food within half a
mile of 85% of Atlanta residents by 2022

53. Qatar is creating a productive permaculture campus
in the desert

54. Paris is covering 50% of the city with porous, planted
areas, encouraging ‘citizen-gardeners’
The forecourt of the Gare de Lyon after planting. (Ville de Paris/Apur/Céline Orsingher)

55. Sheffield is transforming from a gray to green with
innovative plantings & green infrastructure

56. Seaside Florida only allows native plants in front
yards

57. Toronto is implementing a biodiversity strategy
asking “how can we design our city to protect &
enhance nature & the biodiversity found within it?”
Wild, Connected and Civerse, Toronto’s Biodiversity Strategy

58. Sweden, Germany & other countries are naturalizing
their parks & public spaces

59. Christchurch is creating an edible city for disaster
resilience: Ōtākaro Orchard
Image by Steffan Kraberger

60. Boulevard Gardening Guidelines, Victoria
Victoria encourages boulevard gardening to create
healthy & diverse ecosystems, vibrant & attractive
streets and improve local food security

61. Edible Trails are springing up in cities large & small
across the United States & Australia

62. Love My Hood, Kitchener
Kitchener is partnering with citizens to love my hood

63. Cities like New York & Detroit are converting Brown
spaces to wildscapes & foodscapes

64. A Handbook for Municipal Biodiversity Planning and Management
Natural climate solutions offer immense possibility
for helping Kingston achieve its strategic goals

65. We can partner with you in helping you achieve your
strategic goals, but we need your support
Adopt organic mowing & land care practices
Set targets & incentives for lawn conversion
Prototype polyculture hydroseeding
Update yard & noise bylaws (right NOT to mow, noise)
Ban two stroke engines
Introduce simple, co-creative process for adopting green spaces
Explore idea of incorporating edible trail into waterfront, K&P, active transport
plan