Spread the word with yard signs!
It's wonderful to provide habitat in your yard and to garden in an environmentally-responsible way yourself, but why not let other people know about the importance of these things? You won't reach everyone, but there are many people out there who are interested once they learn about these issues. You can help change the world one person at a time! I have the advantage of having a corner lot, so my side yard is very visible to passers-by. I view my yard as an educational site, and people tour my yard frequently.
If your yard is certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat, you can order this metal sign for about $25.
You can display signs in your own yard!
Here are some of my yard signs in .pdf format. Just print them out on card stock and laminate them (about $1 at an office supply store). They hold up pretty well - about two years depending on sun and weather.
Most of them are 8 1/2 x 11, but the "Good enough lawn" and the "Unacceptable Risk" posters are 8 1/2 x 14 legal size.
This sign is on the entrance to my backyard. I think the concept of stewardship is very important and it's the foundation of the plans for my yard.
Download the Stewardship Garden .doc file
I like this better than the signs with a negative message. The message is all the more powerful because it's sitting in a garden bed and lawn that's extremely healthy and full of flowers!
Download the Pesticide Free .doc file
I displayed only the "100% pesticide free" sign for a while, but I decided that it wouldn't hurt to be a little more direct. These quotes are from a very nice flyer produced by the National Audubon Society.
Download the 8-1/2x14 Unacceptable Risk .doc file
I don't think you can just tell people what NOT to do - you also have to give them an idea of what they can do instead. This gives a few tips about how to have a lawn without chemicals.
Download the 8-1/2x14 You Can Have Lawn .pdf file
Many if not most people are not aware of the problem of invasive plants. This sign set hopefully catches their eye ... and also tells them some good native alternatives to use instead.
Download the 8-1/2x14 Alien Invaders .pdf file (on the left) (NOT YET AVAILABLE)
I love this quote from Karel Capek. Besides the great message, I thought it might be a quote people would enjoy reading as they pass by.
Download the Humus .pdf file (NOT YET AVAILABLE)
This is one of a series of 8 signs that tell the "Winterize Your Lawn" story about how foolish our landscaping practices are. If you want this series, I can email you the whole thing. I'm using it as a kind of Burma-shave like series along the road among the alyssum.
Download the Winterize Your Lawn series of 8 posters - .pdf file (NOT YET AVAILABLE)
We subscribe to 100% wind energy. Although the actual electrons that enter our house are no different than anyone else's, the surcharge we pay helps subsidize the building of more windmills. This is an environmental action that is otherwise invisible and so won't create a social norm. This is my way of promoting wind power and also helping create a new social norm. If you're involved in environmental activism, you might want to visit the Community-Based Social Marketing website and read the book Fostering Sustainable Behavior that's mentioned on the website - highly recommended!
Download the Wind Energy .pdf file (NOT YET AVAILABLE)
