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As more and more land in the United States is developed, our appreciation for well-managed and maintained green spaces is growing. The term “green spaces” encompasses elements of landscapes, home and commercial lawns, golf courses, parks and sports turf. The non-profit alliance - Project EverGreen - raises awareness of the environmental, economic and lifestyle benefits of preserving and enhancing green space in the U.S.

Green spaces benefit each and every American in many ways:

1. Cooling: Eight average front lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning. As overwatering is a much bigger problem than underwatering, automatic irrigation systems, where possible, should be considered for the most efficient watering rates.

2. Cleaning: Properly maintained shrubs, plants and lawns are environmental heroes. Because of their filtering capability, plantings prevent soil erosion, filter contaminants from rainwater, and absorb dust and soot.

3. Saving Money: Planting shade trees lowers attic temperatures by as much as 40 degrees, and landscaping aids in reducing air conditioning costs by up to 50 percent.

4. Increasing Home Value: Not only can a well-maintained landscape add up to 15 percent to a property’s value, but landscaping can speed the sale by as much as six weeks when selling a home.

5. Reducing Noise: Landscaping can reduce noise by up to 50 percent.

6. Healing: Horticulture is therapeutic and improves quality of life. Studies illustrate that hospital patients whose rooms overlook landscapes recover faster and require less pain medication than patients without a view of nature.

7. Increasing Air Quality: A tree removes carbon dioxide from the air and releases enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe for a day.

Project Evergreen: www.projectevergreen.com

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NOTE to my readers: We provide resource links to help you protect and nurture your natural resources. Tip: when you contact suppliers in person, online, by phone or email...please ask them about alternatives that are sustainable, green, or habitat-healthy. By asking, we advocate for better protection of our natural resources. Thank you, Carolyn.