This document discusses the environmental impacts of turf grass and development. It notes that turf grass covers over 50 million acres in the US, making it the 4th largest crop by acreage. Development and soil compaction disrupt the natural relationship between rain and the environment. Adopting better landscaping practices in homeowner association communities, which cover over 33,700 acres in Loudoun County, can significantly help the environment.

11. Thank you to our grant funders!

12. Thank you to our
Healthy Community Sponsors!

13. Thank you to our
Healthy Environment Sponsors!

17. Turf in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
…11 times the area of Loudoun County

18. Development changes natural relationships
between rain and environment
Diagram from the Center for Watershed Protection

19. Pre-development relationships
http://chesapeakestormwater.net/2009/10/the-smack-down-on-soil-compaction/

20. With over
50 million acres of
lawn in the US… It’s the 4th largest
crop in acreage after
corn, soy, and
wheat…
And the BIGGEST crop in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed

21. Post-construction and soil compaction
http://chesapeakestormwater.net/2009/10/the-smack-down-on-soil-compaction/

22. HOA Statistics
• Over 60% of Loudoun
residents live in HOA-
controlled communities
• More than 33,700 acres -
about 10% of Loudoun
• This means better HOA
landscaping practices can
have a really big impact!