Lawn to Wildflowers

POLLINATORS IN PERIL

Insects that pollinate flowers, like bees and butterflies, are in trouble. Habitat loss and pesticide use are causing widespread decline in native pollinators. And without them, many plants—including food crops—would die off.

Lawn to Wildflowers helps people create habitats for these helpful insects by turning turf grass lawns into native wildflower plots. Our mobile app makes it easy to create wildflower habitats and collect data on pollinator abundance and diversity. As a public scientist, your participation will not only make your local landscape more beautiful, but also give bees and butterflies a place to thrive.

WHY CONVERT LAWNS TO WILDFLOWER HABITATS?

In addition to offering little-to-no habitat for pollinators, lawns also have other environmental costs. Turf grass lawns cover over 40 million acres in the United States, which is about 2% of its total continental land area. This makes turf grass the most common irrigated crop, covering more area than the next eight types of irrigated crops combined. To keep all that grass growing, 50 to 75% of the domestic water supply is used, adding up to over 20 trillion gallons a year. Lawns are also major sources of pollution from fertilizer and pesticide run-off—all for a type of landscape that doesn’t produce food or provide other critical economic benefits.

Because lawns cover a such large area and are a common part of the landscapes we encounter every day, converting those areas to native wildflower plots is both possible for people to do and impactful for pollinators’ survival.

OUR SUPPORTERS

Lawn to Wildflowers was founded in 2018 by researchers and the University of Central Florida. We are funded by a Pollinator Health Fund grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.

We are currently working toward the three goals listed above, and we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter to keep up with our progress and to learn about how you can be part of the movement promoting native plants and pollinators.

Our approach is simple: we provide tools and guidance to help you transform a patch of lawn into a thriving wildflower habitat. The Plot Methods page offers step-by-step instructions for preparing the ground, selecting seeds, and maintaining your plot with minimal effort. Whether you have a small backyard or a larger area, you can make a difference.

Once you've created your plot, you can use our mobile app to record pollinator visits. By uploading your observations, you contribute to a growing dataset that helps researchers understand pollinator populations across the country. This community science approach means that anyone, regardless of gardening experience, can play a vital role in conservation.

Converting your lawn is easier than you might think. Here are a few ways to get involved:

• Plant native wildflowers – Choose species that are well-suited to your region. Our app includes a plant finder to help you select the right flowers for your area.
• Reduce or eliminate pesticide use – Pesticides harm pollinators and other beneficial insects. By avoiding them, you create a safer environment for bees and butterflies.
• Provide nesting sites – Many native bees nest in the ground or in hollow stems. Leave some bare soil and dead plant material to support their life cycles.
• Spread the word – Encourage your neighbors, friends, and community to join the movement. The more habitat we create, the better for pollinators.

Remember, even a small plot can serve as a stepping stone for pollinators moving through urban and suburban landscapes.

Pollinators are essential for the reproduction of over 85% of the world's flowering plants, including many fruits, vegetables, and nuts that we rely on. Yet, many native bee and butterfly species are in decline due to habitat fragmentation and pesticide exposure. By converting lawns to wildflower habitat, we can help reverse these trends.

Our research team at the University of Central Florida is studying how these small-scale habitat patches affect pollinator communities. Your data submissions help us answer key questions: Which wildflower species attract the most pollinators? How does habitat size influence diversity? What management practices yield the best results? The more people participate, the more robust our findings become.

If you're interested in learning more about the science, visit our Learn section for articles and resources.

Across the country, Lawn to Wildflowers participants are seeing real results. From backyard plots in suburban neighborhoods to school gardens and community spaces, wildflowers are bringing back bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Some participants in California have reported a noticeable increase in pollinator activity within the first season of planting.

We encourage you to explore what others are doing and share your own experiences. Together, we can create a network of pollinator-friendly habitats that spans the nation.

Joining Lawn to Wildflowers is free and open to everyone. Join! today to download the app and begin your journey toward a more sustainable, pollinator-friendly landscape. If you have questions or want to learn more about our team and mission, check out About and Our Team pages.

“The best time to plant a wildflower was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – adapted proverb