Program encourages healthy yards

There are nearly 30 million acres of turf in the United States. Maintaining those green vistas requires millions of pounds of yard chemicals annually. But what makes yards flourish can negatively affect the environment.

The Springfield-Greene County Choose Environmental Excellence coalition last fall created the Show-Me Yards and Neighborhoods program to help homeowners and businesses with responsible yard practices. Composting, soil testing, water conservation techniques and native plant landscaping are key subjects. Participants earn credits for following better practices, and at 36 credits receive a Show-Me Yards sign, according to a release from Choose Environmental Excellence.

One way to earn credits is to use lawn care professionals certified by Show-Me Yards.

Certification workshops for lawn care professionals are set for 9 a.m. Jan. 30 and 12:30 p.m. Feb. 22. For more information, call the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks at 866-1127.