Residents of the Twin Hills development in Chester Springs are already witnessing the benefits of having parts of their lawns transformed into meadows, writes Zoë Read for WHYY.

The conversion has been made possible thanks to funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The department is offering grants for residents and businesses who wish to convert their lawns to meadows – and create peaceful habitats filled with native grasses and wildflowers that have many environmental benefits.

“Lawn conversion intends to improve water quality, air quality, provide habitat to support wildlife and pollinators, and it also sequesters carbon,” said Kelsey Mummert, the program’s coordinator.

According to landscapers, the costs of converting an acre of lawn into a meadow range from $2,000 to $5,000. Residents of Twin Hill are among this year’s recipients of financial assistance through the program. And they are loving it.

“You can hear the bees, and can see the bees and the butterflies — and the beauty that it has created on the edge of the property is just phenomenal,” said Jim Freed, a member of the board of directors for the community.

Read more about the initiative to turn more lawns into meadows in WHYY.

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