TurfMutt

A “Pour” Role Model

A big cause of water quality problems is runoff of contaminants – like chemicals. Rainwater "runs off" hard surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, into waterways. Run off can be reduced by planting new lawns and landscape areas. Grass absorbs rainwater. It can make rainwater 10 times less acidic than water running off a hard surface. This protects our rivers and streams.

King of Heat Islands

Heat islands are bare spots like parking lots and built up parts of cities that absorb the sun’s heat and then give it off into the air. They can raise air temperatures by 22*F more than in nearby planted, grassy areas -- and increase air pollution. But grass blades act like a mini-cooler, producing moisture and absorbing heat. On a really hot day, lawns can be 31*F cooler than asphalt and 20*F cooler than bare soil.

Fan of Blowing Away Soil

Soil erosion is a big problem. Nearly six billion tons of bare soil wash or blow away each year. Dust in the air damages the environment – and hurts those with asthma and allergies. Turfgrass is the best defense against erosion and holds the soil better than any other plant because of its giant root system. A single grass plant can have more than 300 miles of roots!

Founder of the Foul Footprint

You’ve heard about climate change. One reason many scientists say our planet is heating up is the building in our atmosphere of a gas called carbon dioxide. Plant some green! Lawns pull carbon dioxide from the air and store it. In the U.S., turfgrass grabs and stores more than eight million tons of carbon every year