From The Hustle
In Summary:
Since 2001, suburban expansion in the United States has erased more than 24 million acres of natural habitat, putting native species at risk. Homegrown National Park, a national initiative encouraging landowners to convert lawns into ecological landscapes, believes the solution lies not in wilderness preserves but in America’s backyards. Its flagship community, Sunbridge, spans 27,000 acres and integrates housing, schools, trails, and thousands of acres of restored habitat to demonstrate how suburban living and conservation can coexist.
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Why the future of wildlife conservation might be in your backyard
Since 2001, the growth of suburban America has contributed to the loss of 24 million+ acres of natural habitat, with white picket fences and roads replacing local flora and fauna.
Related: North Shore Birding Festival returns with five days of trips, workshops, and conservation programming.
But Homegrown National Park — not an actual place but a marketing concept aimed at restoring 20m acres of natural habitat in America — thinks suburbia could be the answer to tackling the biodiversity crisis it’s helped create by taking conservation efforts private.
HNP’s first dedicated community, Sunbridge, a residential mega-development near Orlando, Florida, is on its way to doing just that, per Fast Company.
The great out(side your)doors
The expansive community will cover 27k acres, including homes, retail spaces, and 13k acres of natural habitats, with lakes, wetlands, and plants native to the region.
- The homes range in price from ~$300k to $600k.
- Residents will be given digital water dashboards to track their consumption, plus resources on lawn care and conservation to help them adhere to HNP’s philosophy of sustainable landscaping and native planting.
So far, a few neighborhoods, walking trails, and a school have been built, but the ambitious project will take ~30 years to complete, with a goal of 30k+ total houses fully.
A win-win
For Sunbridge, it takes advantage of Central Florida’s population boom by offering housing, while residents are both steps from nature and just 15 minutes from the airport.
It also offers cost savings and a healthier environment for kids and pets, since native plants require less fertilizer and water, meaning fewer chemicals and lower utility costs.
Why do conservation efforts occur on private land?
Because if we don’t, “we’re going to fail,” HNP co-founder Doug Tallamy told Fast Company. “You can’t say we’re not going to do conservation where we develop, because that’s everywhere.”
- Nearly 80% of US land is privately owned, including 85% of land east of the Mississippi.
- Suburban sprawl has put ~40% of American plants, animals, and ecosystems at risk.
Advocates say rewilding efforts like Sunbridge’s can help slow the global biodiversity crisis.
Sunbridge sets the stage for a new approach to sustainable suburban development. Still, you don't necessarily have to move to do your part — HNP tracks small-scale efforts of landowners and local orgs with an interactive “biodiversity map” that you can check out here.
Key Points:
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Homegrown National Park aims to restore 20 million acres of natural habitat by encouraging sustainable landscaping on private land.
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Sunbridge, a massive development near Orlando, includes 13,000 acres of preserved wetlands, lakes, and native vegetation alongside residential and retail spaces.
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The community provides homeowners with digital water dashboards and landscaping resources to reduce fertilizer use, conserve water, and promote native plants.
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Nearly 80% of U.S. land is privately owned, making conservation efforts on private properties critical to protecting threatened ecosystems.
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Advocates argue that projects like Sunbridge can help slow biodiversity decline while offering residents lower utility costs, healthier environments, and direct access to nature.
Republished from The Hustle. Read the original article here.
