In the United States, the total area covered in turf grass makes it the number one irrigated crop. After WWII, many new suburban neighborhoods were developed, and a weed-free green grass lawn became everyone’s American dream. Since then, we are constantly bombarded with ads promoting lawn pesticides and artificial fertilizers, companies that will apply those chemicals for us, and gas-powered machines with which we spend hours each spring and summer weekend: mowing vast lawns, trimming the edges, and blowing away clippings and leaves. Public demand means most public spaces also use these chemicals and noisy, polluting machines to maintain the “perfect” turf lawn.
Turf grass comes with a list of issues. Most species of grass planted in the US are non-native and shallow-rooted, and lawns are severely lacking in biodiversity compared to native ecosystems. At the same time, research is telling us that our pollinators, especially native populations of bees, are in serious decline. It should be no wonder, as many of the “weeds” we work hard to remove are actually native plants, filled with the pollen and nectar needed to sustain these essential pollinators. They play a vital role not only in our native ecosystems but also in the production of much of the food we humans consume.
Homeowners who have heard the message have started replacing their grass with more native plants. While some have support in their communities, many face challenges from local laws and “weed” ordinances that fail to recognize the benefits of native plants.
Purpose and Goal of Project
Dayton Area Wild Ones, a local chapter of the national Wild Ones organization, is concerned about laws that are not supportive of maintained and intentional natural landscaping—specifically home landscapes that include Ohio native plants. Many local ordinances include vague language (including terms like weeds, pests, and wild plants), which leaves the law open to the interpretation of the person inspecting a property, often following a neighbor’s complaint. This can result in fines, with the homeowner being forced to cut down or remove the plants that offended a particular neighbor. The goal of this project is to encourage Dayton-area municipalities to update their existing ordinance, zoning code, and/or resolution to protect natural landscapes and habitat. We will accomplish this by providing research and sample ordinances, and mustering support for the change from like-minded individuals and groups living within the municipality.
Plan of Action
Dayton Area chapter members live in and represent municipalities across a wide geographic area. Using the philosophy of “Think globally, act locally,” we will start with communities that have a personal connection to our members. As we gain experience, we will look for supporters who can help expand this project to additional areas.
Depending on how the governing body operates, each municipality will require customization of an action plan. In some locations, it may be a simple matter of proposing updated language and having it approved. In other areas, it may require meeting with city officials and the governing body, holding rallies, gathering signatures, starting a media campaign, and giving presentations to supporters.
In general, our plan for each target municipality is as follows:
- Research existing laws: ordinances, zoning codes, resolutions
- Identify points of concern in existing laws
- Identify preferred alternatives to existing laws
- Learn how the governing body approves updates to existing law
- Identify who locally will support the project
- Propose sample updated language
- Work with the governing body to modify and finalize the proposed updated language
- Provide public acknowledgement of modified law, once adopted
When necessary, the Dayton Area chapter will seek assistance, both technical and legal, from experienced individuals and groups as well as from our national organization.
Won’t you join us in this effort? See our Information Collection Form, which includes tips for researchers, and contact us to let us know which municipality appeals to you!
Managed Natural Landscapes PowerPoint
In 2025, three Dayton Area Wild Ones board members put together a PowerPoint about the benefits of managed natural landscapes to help educate local government officials and the public. While originally created to present at a City of Beavercreek council meeting when the city was considering restricting native plants, the PowerPoint has now been edited for more general use. Feel free to download this PDF to present to audiences in your own community or to your own city or township government.