[Image: About The LYN Program]The focus of this program is to encourage homeowners to create and maintain landscapes in ways that minimize environmental damage. This will include looking at water quality and conservation, reducing stormwater runoff and decreasing nonpoint source pollution of surface water, enhancing desirable wildlife habitats and creating functional, attractive landscapes.
The program, which is implemented through the parish LSU AgCenter Extension agents with the support of Louisiana Master Gardener volunteers, provides education and outreach activities in the community to help residents reduce pollution, conserve water and enhance their environment by improving home and landscape management.
This integrated approach to landscaping emphasizes seven interrelated principles:
➊ Right plant right place
➋ Watering efficiently
➌ Maximizing mulch and recycle yard waste
➍ Fertilizing appropriately
➎ Managing yard pests
➏ Protecting surface waters and wetlands
➐ Providing for beneficial wildlife habitat
This LYN handbook provides helpful ideas, information and techniques to create and maintain a more environmentally friendly landscape. You will learn the basics of designing a landscape using carefully selected plants suited to Louisiana growing conditions. This handbook also contains information on cost-saving, energy-efficient landscape maintenance to help you reduce water, fertilizer and pesticide use. The information provided in this handbook will be helpful to individuals designing new landscapes or making changes to existing ones while achieving an attractive, functional and environmentally responsible landscape.