The Town of North Hempstead is the only town on Long Island offering a grant to replace lawns with native plant gardens. Residents can receive up to $350.
In 2021, thirteen new native plant gardens were created with funding from the program throughout the Town. These native plant gardens provide residents and the environment with many benefits. Not only are these gardens beautiful, but they provide food, shelter, and nesting resources for pollinators, of which many species are in decline, as well as birds, small mammals, and a variety of wildlife species. They also have extensive root systems that absorb polluted stormwater, can take in carbon dioxide and other air pollutants, have low maintenance requirements, do not need fertilizer, and are drought tolerant once established. These gardens will increase habitat for the declining monarch butterfly population, which is an important action the Town is taking for the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge.
To qualify, residents will be required to complete an application that includes information about their proposed garden location, estimated budget, New York native plant species chosen, proposed garden size, photo(s) of proposed planting location, and a basic garden layout.
Funding is limited and applications that meet the requirements will be accepted on first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, visit https://www.northhempsteadny.gov/np
—Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead
