Researchers Growing “Alternative Lawns” in Vestal Neighborhood

Trees were recently cleared from a section of a Binghamton University nature preserve in Vestal for a lawn-growing experiment.

People who live near the site off Jensen Road received pamphlets informing them of the research.

A man who resides in the area said there was activity at the Nuthatch Hollow nature preserve after the trees were removed, although he hasn't seen much going on there lately.

Amber Churchill, assistant professor of ecosystem science, is leading the project, which is taking place a short distance southwest of the Vestal campus.

A sign at the fenced-in site said the research is being conducted for the "Pasture and Lawn Enhanced Diversity Global-change Experiment" - PLEDGE.

According to the sign, "alternative lawns" are being grown as part of the project. The "mini-lawns" are each planted with different combinations of three species.

The researchers are monitoring "how they grow and how they affect water and nutrients in the soil."

The sign suggests "growing lawns with more diverse plants" could help people and the environment.

Potential benefits could include reducing mowing frequency and fewer fertilizer applications. The need for irrigation could also be reduced and pollinators could be supported.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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