The Daily Climate

Woman in Tasmania wins ‘World’s Ugliest Lawn’ contest

The “World’s Ugliest Lawn” winner Kathleen Murray, a 53-year-old who lives in Tasmania, has not watered her yard in years.

How landscaping plays a key role in the fight against climate change

A manicured green lawn has long been a symbol of triumph over nature. As Colorado battles persistent drought, an increasing number of homeowners are eager to let nature win.

A viable alternative to conventional lawn? Cornell may have found it

Cornell Botanic Gardens is testing sustainable options for replacing your backyard grass. The bonus: They don’t need to be cut more than twice a year.

A viable alternative to conventional lawn? Cornell may have found it

Cornell Botanic Gardens is testing sustainable options for replacing your backyard grass. The bonus: They don’t need to be cut more than twice a year.

Impacts

Can golf cure its water addiction?

Drought is making it harder for golf lovers to justify the game’s copious use of water.

Solutions

Corporate landscaping opts for native plants over manicured lawns

More companies are eschewing manicured grass in favor of native plants, a shift driven by the environmental costs of installing and maintaining lawns.

Impacts

Las Vegas won't save the water it needs by just removing lawns

Drought-plagued Nevada pledged to do away with 3,900 acres of grass in the Las Vegas area within six years, but a ProPublica analysis found that the state grossly overestimated how much of that grass would likely be removed.

ORIGINAL REPORTING