Oak Park Healthy Lawn, Healthy Family Pledge
Healthy lawns keep us healthy!
Monsanto found guilty in Roundup cancer lawsuit
In a historic victory on Friday August 10, Monsanto was found guilty on all counts and was ordered to pay $289 million in the Roundup cancer lawsuit. “This is a company that has always put profits ahead of public safety, and today, Monsanto has finally been held accountable.” Check out our favorite news articles about this game-changing court case. The science behind the Roundup controversy is fascinating.
Common Dreams – Guilty on all counts
Salon – Monsanto Roundup cancer lawsuit raises questions
Vanity Fair – Monsanto’s harvest of fear
Huffington Post – Questions about Monsanto and EPA cooperation and secrets
Deep Roots and many other groups have been asking friends and neighbors to take the “Healthy Lawn, Healthy Family” pledge to remove toxic chemicals from our lawns and yards. We are hoping many more people will take the toxics-free pledge due to the “guilty on all counts” verdict by a California court against Monsanto and its Roundup herbicide. Pledge form is at the bottom of this page.
Our Health and the environment are at risk
Gardening and lawn care chemicals can be harmful to humans, pets, wildlife and waterways. The good news is there are many surprisingly easy ways to care for your lawn and garden that avoid putting your family and neighbors at risk, like watering correctly, mowing high, and using natural non-toxic products. See our Natural Lawn Care page for more information.
Threatening Children’s Health
Children are most vulnerable to the health risks from toxic chemicals like pesticides. Studies have found links between the use of lawn pesticides such as Roundup and 2,4-D and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, asthma, hormonal issues, weakened immune function, and acute leukemia. (There are no studies available assessing the direct effects of lawn care products on children's health.) For more information and references go here.
Endangering Wildlife
Many pesticides are toxic to pollinators and aquatic life and have been linked to developmental, reproductive, behavioral, and immune system problems in wildlife.
Beautiful Chemical-free Lawns
A natural lawn can be beautiful, even by conventional standards. In fact, well-established, natural lawns are healthier and stronger than conventionally maintained ones, especially in times of stress like drought. Since sustainable landscapes require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides, they are more cost effective over time.
Free Workshops
Deep Roots Project offers free workshops on natural lawn care and edible gardening. Jeff Swano, owner of Dig Right In Landscaping, has been leading the way in residential, organic lawn care since 2005. Over the years, he has come to fully understand the science and techniques necessary to build and sustain healthy soil ecology.
Display Your Commitment with a Lawn Sign
Receive a free yard sign in honor of your commitment. Inspire your friends and neighbors to protect our community and learn natural lawn care. For an added bonus convert some lawn to a healthy, organic, food garden. Usually the sign comes with a donation of $10. But our funding allows us to provide signs for free. We greatly appreciate a small donation when you take the pledge.
The Midwest Grows Green Movement
Oak Park/River Forest “Healthy Lawn, Healthy Family“ pledge is part of the Midwest Grows Green movement sponsored by the Midwest Pesticide Action Center. The Oak Park Pledge is sponsored by Deep Roots Project. The River Forest pledge is sponsored by the River Forest Sustainability Commission.
We want to turn your concerns into action by creating a community of informed citizens ready to organize and advocate for more natural lawn care practices at home and Midwest-wide. By taking this pledge, you join an online, engaged network of citizens prepared to eliminate synthetic chemical use on your own lawn and/or garden and at all locations where children, pets, and wildlife live and play. Will you join us?
Your commitment today gives you access to natural lawn care resources, advocacy support, and event updates from our monthly newsletter and adds your name to this growing effort.
I am ready to take the pledge to eliminate the use of harmful lawn and garden chemicals in my yard!
I pledge to participate in this community and push for synthetic chemical elimination at all places where children, pets, and wildlife live and play.
I pledge to eliminate my use of herbicide products such as glyphosate (Round Up), 2,4-D, and/or “weed and feed”.
I pledge to adopt two or more of the following natural lawn care practices:
Mow high: I will mow my grass to no less than 3 inches.
Water Properly: I will water my lawn with no more than 1 inch per week.
Fertilize organically: I will use only naturally derived organic fertilizers on my lawn and garden such as compost, compost tea, alfalfa meal, etc.
Fill out the information below to take the pledge.
