The piece reflects what so many of us already know, that the vast, manicured lawns blanketing America have become “green deserts.” They demand hours of mowing, billions of gallons of water, and repeated chemical inputs, all while giving almost nothing back to people or wildlife.

And yet, many Americans maintain lawns not out of love, but out of obligation. Nearly 40 million acres — an area about the size of Wisconsin — are devoted to turfgrass. That’s a staggering amount of land we could put to work for biodiversity, beauty, and joy.

Themes From the NYT Article

The essay points to a growing truth: Americans often don’t enjoy lawn care. Instead, many feel they must keep a perfectly cut lawn because of cultural expectations or neighborhood pressure. Surveys show that while some find mowing “motivating,” others report feeling exhausted, frustrated, and drained by the constant upkeep. Lawns have become less about beauty and more about conformity, obligation, and an endless cycle of maintenance.

For most, the lawn no longer represents joy or connection. It represents a chore. As the article asks: What are we really afraid of, a dandelion?

Why Lawns Fail People and Nature

• For biodiversity: Lawns offer almost no food or shelter for birds, pollinators, or other wildlife.
• For water: They often require irrigation and fertilizers that strain rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
• For people: Instead of joy, lawns leave many homeowners tired and stressed.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

The Homegrown National Park Vision

At HNP, we imagine something different: a patchwork of native trees, wildflowers, and meadows stitched together yard by yard. Instead of green deserts, we can create vibrant habitats alive with fireflies, butterflies, and songbirds.

Our tools and resources — the keystone plants tool to make a home for wildlife and design a native landscape — make it simple to begin. By shrinking your lawn and planting natives, you join thousands of others already creating a living, breathing national park in their own backyards.

3 Simple Swaps for a Post-Lawn Yard

1. Shrink your lawn: Replace even a strip of grass with a native plant bed or a native tree.
2. Plant keystone natives: Keystones like native oaks, goldenrods, and asters (among others) are the backbone of ecosystem, supporting many more species than other plants.
3. Leave the leaves: Let autumn leaves nourish your soil and shelter beneficial insects.

Each small action adds up — not just for you, but for your neighborhood, your region, and our shared planet.

Ready to Join the Next Era?

The lawn may be fading, but something far better is taking its place. Together, we can turn obligation into opportunity and transform our yards into havens of life.

Read the full essay in The New York Times