From Turf Lawn to a Healthy Yard; ChangeHampton activists describe their process

ChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a Time

In this inspiring third episode of *Changehampton Presents*, host Francesca Rheannon speaks with Leonard Green, co-founder of Changehampton, and actor/director/journalist Paul McIsaac about transforming traditional lawns into thriving, biodiverse ecosystems. They share their personal journeys of replacing grass with native plantings, the critical role of keystone species like oaks and blueberries, and the cultural resistance to eco-conscious landscaping. The conversation also introduces Changehampton's newest initiative: the 1,000 Healthy Yards Campaign, aiming to restore ecological balance, yard by yard.
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## 🌱 Show Notes — Episode 3: **Turning Turf Lawns to Healthy Yards; ChangeHampton Activists Describe the Process

**Hosted by:** Francesca Rheannon
**Guests:** Leonard Green (Co-founder, Changehampton; Board Member, ReWild Long Island), Paul McIsaac (Actor, Director, Journalist)
### 🗣️ Episode Highlights
- **The ecological importance of native plants**
- Why "native" means more than just local—it means symbiotic, essential, and time-tested.
- Native plants create healthy soil, purify groundwater, and support pollinators and wildlife.
- **The role of keystone species**
- Oaks support over 485 insect species and are fundamental to local ecosystems.
- Other keystone plants include wild black cherry, river birch, and blueberries.
- **Personal yard transformations**
- Leonard and Paul share how their suburban lawns became pollinator-friendly habitats.
- Tips for low-cost rewilding: from cardboard lawn removal to planting clover and native shrubs.
- **Launching the 1,000 Healthy Yards Campaign**
- A community-driven movement inspired by Bellport’s Healthy Yards model.
- Aims to celebrate and document properties using sustainable, toxin-free landscaping.
- **Overcoming cultural resistance**
- The “chem-lawn” aesthetic is deeply embedded in suburban norms.
- Shift begins with education, visible yard signs, and accessible local projects.
- **Natural tick management**
- Len and Paul share practical methods to avoid spraying harmful pesticides while staying safe.
- **Landscaping as a social justice metaphor**
- Biodiversity in nature parallels diversity in human communities—both are essential to resilience and beauty.
Notable Quotes:
### 💬 Notable Quotes
> "We’ve essentially replaced very complex systems with very simplified systems—and the odd thing is, we have to keep these simplified systems on life support." – **Leonard Green**
> "When people ask me what I do, I say, 'I’m a gardener—and I do other stuff.'" – **Paul McIsaac**
> "If we just gave back a little of that 40 million acres of turf lawn in the U.S., we could give something back to nature." – **Leonard Green**
> "The world we’re leaving for our children doesn’t look very attractive. I wouldn’t want to leave it to any children if I had any." – **Leonard Green**
> "Diversity in ecology and society alike is not just about justice—it’s about strength, beauty, and resilience." – **Paul McIsaac**
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### 🔗 Resources & Mentions
- **Changehampton**: [https://www.changehampton.org](https://www.changehampton.org)
- **ReWild Long Island**: [https://www.rewildlongisland.org](https://www.rewildlongisland.org)
- **Paul McIsaac’s Video**: *Grass, Kick the Habit* (available via Changehampton’s site)
- **Nature Notes by Larry Penny** (East Hampton Star columnist)
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### 🐝 Join the Movement
Learn how to transform your yard—and your community—by joining the **1,000 Healthy Yards Campaign**. Visit [Changehampton.org](https://www.changehampton.org) for how-to guides, native plant lists, and community success stories.