Cheltenham's 3rd Annual Showcase for Sustainable Yards and Other Spaces
Have you taken small or large steps to make your outdoor space
more sustainable?
Whether your “yard” is an acre or a window box, share your
progress with your fellow Township residents by joining the Environmental
Advisory Council’s (EAC) Sustainable Yards Showcase.
A yard can be much more than a plot of grass you mow every week
or two—it can provide food and habitat for birds, butterflies, and other
creatures. In America, over 40 million acres of land are covered by lawn—which does
virtually nothing for nature—and our lawnmowers emit 16 billion pounds
of carbon per year!
Reducing the size of your lawn is just one way to make your
outdoor space more sustainable. Maybe you
collect rainwater, compost, and minimize use of synthetic pesticides and
fertilizers. Or maybe your window box entices butterflies and other pollinators
with native plants. Maybe you plant native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses
to provide food and habitat for beneficial insects and birds. Or maybe you grow
vegetables or herbs organically. Even something as simple as using an electric
or manual lawnmower makes a difference.
How to join:
- Confirm that the home or business with the outdoor space you are entering is located in Cheltenham Township.
- Write a short description (<200 words) of what you are doing to make your outdoor area more sustainable and nature-friendly. There are no strict qualifications or rules; you should tell us what sustainability means for your outdoor space.
- Include up to 3 photos OR unleash your inner YouTuber and submit a 5-minute (or less) video tour.
- Submit your materials to [email protected] by August 31. Please remember to include your name and address.
All entries will be shared on
Cheltenham Township/Sustainable Cheltenham social media channels and will be
eligible for Sustainable Cheltenham yard signs. Several special recognition
prizes will be awarded including Primex gift certificates and free one-year
memberships to the Wyncote Audubon Society.
Contest sponsors: Primex Garden Center, Wyncote Audubon Society,
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Friends of High School Park
We can’t
wait to see your sustainable yard!