Cultivating a Native Lawn

Traditional turfgrass lawns provide little benefit to native biodiversity, are significant sources of air and water pollution, and require huge investments of time to maintain. In a world grappling with the climate crisis, every action counts, and adopting a new lawn paradigm that champions native biodiversity in your own backyard is a powerful way to take control of your environmental impact. Todd Bittner, plant ecologist, will discuss a visionary lawn paradigm shift – one where lush, low-growing native grasses and forbs take center stage. Explore the journey behind Cornell Botanic Gardens’ native lawn, from its inception to the multitude of benefits it brings, and the invaluable lessons it has taught us.
This program takes place online on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
About the Instructor:
Todd Bittner is the Director of Natural Areas for the Cornell Botanic Gardens. The Gardens’ Natural Areas program protects and manages a system of preserves spanning nearly 3,700 acres across 40 natural areas. The preserves encompass one-third of Cornell’s iconic campus landscape, including two massive gorges, scenic Beebe Lake, and a renowned wildflower garden, which hosts the Gardens’ “native lawn” that was featured in the New York Times in 2023. Todd leads the protection and stewardship of these lands and the Gardens’ native biodiversity conservation efforts. Todd also directly educates students and the public on natural heritage topics and is a lecturer in the School of Plant Science. Todd is also a conservation scientist with the Center for Plant Conservation, and in 2020, was named a “Conservation Champion” by the Center.