As part of the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI), over 40 scientists from 15 agencies gathered in 2015 to take stock of the health of Lake Michigan. They focused on assessing several critical concerns in Lake Michigan: the lower food web, which may be depleted by invasive zebra and quagga mussels, the condition of key prey fish species, and the impact of contaminants on water quality and in the food chain.

Lawn to Lake provides information on how to protect water quality through natural lawn care. This rack card explains the benefits of using phosphorus-free (P-free) fertilizer and natural lawn care products.

This brochure is a part of a natural lawn care communication campaign developed and refined through a series of grant funded homeowner surveys and focus groups. The goal is to address the issue of lawn care-related pollution in watersheds by targeting outreach efforts directly towards homeowners engaged in lawn care. Choosing the right turfgrass species for the lawn’s growing conditions is an important management practice. This brochure provides a brief introduction to turfgrass growth habits, a checklist for understanding your lawn’s growing conditions and provides a turfgrass selection guide.

References:

1. Reicher, Z., Bigelow, C., Patton, A., & Voigt, T. (2006). Zoysiagrass for Indiana. Purdue Extension. https://turf.purdue.edu/extpub/zoysiagrass-for-indiana/
2. Fresenburg, B., Miller, L. (n.d.) Managing Lawns and Turfgrass. University of Missouri Extension. https://extension2.missouri.edu/mg10
3. Hentschel, R., & Spangenberg, B. (n.d.). Groundcovers as lawn alternatives. University of Illinois Extension. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/lawntalk/other/groundcovers_as_lawn_alternatives.cfm
4. Reicher, Z., Throssell, C. (1998, July). Improving Lawns in the Shade. Purdue Extension. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-14-W.pdf
5. Braun, R. C., Patton, A. J., Watkins, E., Koch, P. L., Anderson, N. P., Bonos, S. A., & Brilman, L. A. (2020). Fine fescues: A review of the species, their improvement, production, establishment, and management. Crop Science, 60(3), 1142–1187. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20122
6. Murphy, J. A. (1996, September). Fine Fescues: Low Maintenance Species for Turf. Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension. https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=FS688
7. Laskowski, M. (2018, July). Making roadsides greener by selecting salt tolerant turfgrasses. University of Minnesota: Turfgrass Science. https://turf.umn.edu/news/making-roadsides-greener-selecting-salt-tolerant-turfgrasses

This brochure is a part of a natural lawn care communication campaign developed and refined through a series of grant funded homeowner surveys and focus groups. The goal is to address the issue of lawn care-related pollution in watersheds by targeting outreach efforts directly towards homeowners engaged in lawn care. Survey data revealed that soil testing is a lawn care practice overlooked by homeowners. This brochure aims address the importance of soil testing as it relates to turfgrass health.

References:

1. Lee, S., & McCann, L. (2018). Passage of Phosphorus-free Lawn Fertilizer Laws by U.S. States. Journal of Natural Resources Policy Research, 8(1-2), 66-88. Retrieved July 17, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/10.5325/naturesopolirese.8.1-2.0066

This brochure is a part of a natural lawn care communication campaign developed and refined through a series of grant funded homeowner surveys and focus groups. The goal is to address the issue of lawn care-related pollution in watersheds by targeting outreach efforts directly towards homeowners engaged in lawn care. Managing lawn pests was identified as a main concern for homeowners. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), outlined in this brochure is a tool homeowners can implement to minimize reliance on pesticides, reduce treatment costs, improve lawn health and protect surface and ground water.

References:

1. Environmental Protection Agency. (2017, August). Introduction to Integrated Pest Management. https://www.epa.gov/managing-pests-schools/introduction-integrated-pest-management
2. UC IPM. What Is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. (UC IPM). https://www2.ipm.ucanr.edu/What-is-IPM/
3. Calhoun, R. N. (2015). Integrated Pest Management for Home Lawns. MSU Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/integrated-pest-management-for-home-lawns
4. Reicher, Z., Throssell, C. (1998, July). Improving Lawns in the Shade. Purdue Extension. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-14-W.pdf
5. Environmental Protection Agency. (2017, June 28). Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment: Caring for Your Lawn in an Environmentally Friendly Way. https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/healthy-lawn-healthy-environment-caring-your-lawn-environmentally-friendly-way
6. Pennsylvania State University. (n.d.). Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management [Brochure]. Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management. http://www.paasthma.org/images/docs/IPM_brochure.pdf
7. Pennsylvanian State University Extension. (2011, March). Steps of Integrated Pest Management. https://extension.psu.edu/steps-of-integrated-pest-management-ipm

This story map relays key findings from the 2015 Lake Michigan field year of the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative. This digital, multi-media outreach tool is intended to convey research results to broad audiences including anglers, boaters, conservation groups, and other Lake Michigan stakeholders.

For more detailed information, visit Lake Michigan Health: A Deeper Dive