The Next Conservation Revolution is Happening in America’s Backyards

0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Florida’s landmark investment in Everglades restoration represents one of the most ambitious ecosystem recovery efforts in the United States. Through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), a federal-state partnership is working to restore the natural flow of water across South Florida’s interconnected ecosystems, supporting the long-term health of one of the nation’s most significant environmental landscapes. The effort reflects a growing recognition that ecological decline carries economic, environmental and public health consequences. Yet even as restoration accelerates, scientists and policymakers acknowledge that large-scale projects alone cannot reverse biodiversity loss if the broader landscape continues to degrade.

Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows that the challenge is compounded by the reality of land ownership and development patterns. While protected public lands remain essential to conservation, most U.S. land is privately managed, meaning that decisions made by homeowners, businesses and developers increasingly influence biodiversity outcomes. The report also shows that land-use change, including the conversion of natural areas for development, continues to reshape ecosystems across the country.

At the same time, research by the U.S. Geological Survey highlights ongoing declines in pollinator populations driven in large part by habitat loss and land-use change, underscoring the need for conservation efforts that extend beyond protected lands into working and developed landscapes.

Landscaping practices further intensify the issue. Analysis by NASA estimates that lawns cover roughly 40 million acres across the continental United States, making turf grass one of the most widespread managed landscapes in the country. Maintaining these landscapes can require substantial water inputs, as well as fertilizers and pesticides that may contribute to nutrient pollution when they enter waterways.

In states like Florida , where waterways connect directly to coastal ecosystems, these inputs can accelerate algal blooms and disrupt marine habitats. The cumulative impact of these everyday decisions can rival the benefits of large-scale restoration.

Against this backdrop, Bridget Washburn, Executive Director of Audubon Western Everglades , argues that conservation is entering a new phase. Drawing on decades of experience in environmental policy and on-the-ground collaboration, she contends that restoring ecosystems like the Everglades is only the beginning. Long-term success depends on whether conservation extends into the places where people live, build and make daily choices.

Washburn frames this shift through the lens of shared responsibility. She emphasizes that most biodiversity loss is now occurring outside protected areas, shaped by how land is developed and maintained. In her view, conservation must move from being a centralized effort to a distributed one that engages homeowners, developers, businesses and entire communities.

Through the work of Audubon Western Everglades, in collaboration with other nonprofits, local governments, landowners and businesses, the Nature Where We Live initiative reflects this approach. The framework focuses on practical, scalable actions that individuals and organizations can take to restore biodiversity within everyday environments. Central to this effort is rethinking how landscapes are designed and maintained, particularly the widespread reliance on turf grass.

Washburn explains that turf grass dominates residential and commercial properties, yet delivers limited ecological value. “We are effectively irrigating millions of acres of lawn,” she says. “It requires constant inputs to maintain a uniform appearance, and those inputs have consequences for water resources and ecosystem health.”

She points to growing interest from homeowners associations, which oversee large residential areas and have significant influence over landscaping standards. Many are now seeking guidance on how to transition from turf to native plants. “We are seeing communities come to us asking how to retrofit their landscapes,” she explains. “There is a strong willingness to change when people understand the environmental and economic benefits.”

The advantages of native landscaping extend beyond conservation outcomes. Washburn highlights that native plants require less water, reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides, and support pollinators and bird populations. These changes can improve water quality and reduce long-term maintenance costs, creating a compelling case for both environmental and economic stakeholders.

Developers are also playing an increasingly important role. By incorporating native landscapes and ecological connectivity into new projects, they can align with sustainability goals while enhancing the long-term value of their properties. Washburn notes that communities with healthy ecosystems and clean waterways are more attractive places to live and invest, reinforcing the link between environmental stewardship and economic resilience.

Her perspective also reflects the need to build momentum toward a broader cultural shift. Conservation is no longer confined to distant wilderness areas. It is becoming embedded in the design and management of everyday spaces. Washburn emphasizes that this transition requires access to information, incentives and partnerships that make it easier for individuals and organizations to participate.

She underscores that tools and resources already exist across the country. From plant guides to local conservation programs, homeowners and communities have increasing support to make informed decisions. “I want people to feel that they can be part of the solution,” she says. “There are practical ways to make meaningf...

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