Introducing Meadows & Turf Alternatives at Mount Auburn
By Anna Moir , Grants & Communications Manager
Wandering through Mount Auburn , it can be easy to take for granted how much of the ground surrounding our monuments , trees , and ponds is covered with mowed turf grass . However , that is gradually changing thanks to one of our Wildlife Action Plan initiatives : converting turf into meadows and other alternative designs . Toward this end , Mount Auburn is consulting with landscape designer Larry Weaner and has begun to implement changes in localized areas . The ultimate goal is to apply this concept on a larger scale across more of the Cemetery .
Converting more of our mowed lawns into naturalistic turf and meadows is crucial to improving our urban wildlife refuge . Some areas already provide excellent habitat for many species , but they are isolated by larger sections of lawn . Connecting these areas with increased groundcover for concealment and food resources will be critical for their effectiveness in supporting wildlife . Plus , our fauna requires diverse species of plants for different needs ( food , cover , stems to lay eggs for larvae , etc .). In Weaner ’ s words ,“ turf grass is about as low diversity as you can get .” Plant diversity also increases water absorption and decreases runoff , which improves both our ground quality and water usage .
Lawn alternatives are also designed to require less frequent mowing . This not only reduces our carbon footprint but also decreases the risk that our historic monuments will be damaged by equipment . Weaner is working with Cemetery staff to choose plants that will grow well in different areas , to improve weed-prevention practices , to select
tall or short plants that complement the monuments and leave inscriptions readable , and to accommodate visitation and traffic levels .“ What ’ s really going on here is a lot of complex thinking in order to make the landscape simple to manage ,” he explains .“ The thought process ahead of time is not easy , and it ’ s not simple , but if it ’ s done well , then what actually has to happen physically in the landscape is much easier .”
Eventually , moving toward naturalistic turf will create a different look and experience at Mount Auburn .“ Seeing butterflies and dragonflies intermingling with the plants as you walk by ,” says Weaner ,“ monuments peeking out of taller grass that isn ’ t as scalped , and maybe even have taller grasses in areas where there aren ’ t monuments , and the whole thing gracefully intermingled … creates a different experience where there ’ s a little more mystery in the landscape .” In short , aesthetics , ecology , and Mount Auburn ’ s unique character all work together for the best possible design .
Figuring out what grows best and looks good in different areas will be a gradual , experimental process .“ These are not things that have been done ten thousand times where you know exactly how long it will take and what the outcome will be ,” Weaner points out . That said , it creates an exciting opportunity for Mount Auburn :“ What is happening here is really cutting-edge and something that not only could contribute to having a great place here ( which it already is ), but to be an example .” Stay tuned in the coming years to see how different sections of Mount Auburn transform !
Larry Weaner , Principal , Larry Weaner Landscape Associates , Glenside , PA , has over thirty years of landscape design and installation experience , combining expertise in horticulture , environmental science , and the traditions of garden design . His design and restoration work for public facilities , institutions , and private residences has been profiled in The New York Times , The Wall Street Journal , Garden Design , American Gardener , Wildflower Magazine , and Landscape Architecture Magazine . During Mount Auburn ’ s workshop in 2014 to develop the Wildlife Action Plan , he suggested methods for improving our core wildlife habitat sections and has continued consulting with us on the topic .
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