CAN: Act Sustainably

Landscape Practices

We can help the environment in our yards and become part of the solution rather than part of the problem. The practices we choose in our yards can contribute to carbon emissions, or can mitigate the effects of climate change. The choice is ours. Creating a healthy eco-system in our yards is not only good for the environment, but good for us too. Increasing bio-diversity and making a commitment to reduce or, even better, eliminate chemical treatments in our yards is good for us, our children, our pets and the eco-system.

We need to be bold. We need to embrace an aesthetic that sees native plant meadows as not only a beautiful replacement for lawn, but a necessary intervention to save pollinators, wildlife, bio-diverse ecosystems, and a future where our children and grandchildren can chase butterflies and catch fireflies in jars.

We implore you to take action and join the movement to link our yards to create a bio-diverse, rich habitat through joining the Ardsley Pollinator Pathway Project. It easy to do and it will save you money and time. You will also enjoy your yard so much more. You'll watch the birds that return, the butterflies that visit, and the animals that scurry about in your native landscape. They need you and we need them. Make the choice today to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

The Village of Ardsley supports ecological landscape practices through not using pesticides on Village property, mulch mowing Village lawn areas, and planting native pollinator plants in Ardsley pocket gardens and planters. All leaves, Christmas trees, and garden debris are transported to a Westchester County facility where they are recycled into mulch. The Village also has a Food Scrap Composting drop-off at Anthony F Veteran Park, 11 Olympic Lane (open every day, from 8:00 am until sunset).
Use of gas leaf blowers has adverse effects on the landscape and on us. Numerous studies have shown that gas leaf blowers are extremely hazardous to the health of those who operate them and those who are around them. They destroy the soil, spew carbon by burning fossil fuels, and release carbon from the soil. Running a gas leaf blower for one hour is equivalent to driving 1,100 miles! They are bad news. Go electric in your lawn equipment. Talk to your landscaper. Mulch mow to return nutrients back into the soil. Leave the leaves and save butterflies and other beneficial insects and animals who overwinter in the leaves in your yards.
The Village of Ardsley GREEN Growing series provides Ardsley residents and businesses with easy, sustainable landscape practices.
- - GREEN Growing: Super Easy Vegetables and Herbs
  - GREEN Growing: Do You Have a Healthy Lawn?
  - GREEN Growing: Dog Days of August? Plan a Garden!
  - GREEN Growing: Everyone Needs a Home
  - GREEN Growing: Leave Your Leaves
  - GREEN Growing: Most (Un)wanted Invasives: Get Them While They're Young!
  - GREEN Growing: The Birds, the Bees, and the Butterflies
  - GREEN Growing: You Can Save Pollinators
  - GREEN Growing: Lazy and Frugal Composting 101

The Ardsley Pollinator Pathway Project promotes the use of native plants which supports pollinators and wildlife, restores our natural ecosystem, promotes practices that sequester carbon in the soil and plants, and supports water conservation.
Composting is a critical part of sustainable living. Ardsley encourages residents to compost their green and brown waste and to take advantage of the Town of Greenburgh Food Scrap Recycling program. Greenburgh Nature Center has a great guide to recycling and composting and participates in the food scrap recycling program. You can pick up your food scrap recycling kit there and start today. Composting is easy!
Grow your own food. Even growing a small amount of the food you need helps reduce your carbon footprint. You'll also help pollinators and enjoy watching your food grow. By not using pesticides or herbicides you will be assured that the produce is safe and healthy. Consider not only vegetables and herbs, but also fruit shrubs and nut/fruit trees. Did you know that many of our native plants, trees and shrubs provide a feast to humans while also supporting endangered pollinators?