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[00:00.69] A green area of grass called a lawn has been popular in American yards for a long time.

[00:09.19] But a growing number of gardeners and homeowners now consider the lawn as something that belongs in the past.

[00:17.95] Dennis Liu of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation in Durham, North Carolina, said “America is unique in its fixation on the monoculture lawn.”

[00:31.23] Monoculture is a term that means growing only one species.

[00:36.55] Now, drought, falling insect populations and other environmental issues could show the need for more kinds of plants in spaces large and small.

[00:50.09] Some cities are taking steps against lawns.

[00:54.34] Las Vegas, for example, is banning all grass lawns and requiring their removal.

[01:01.51] The city has struggled with water scarcity, an issue that is likely to become worse in the coming years.

[01:10.28] Other cities are handing out lawn signs with “healthy yard” written on them.

[01:15.59] The idea is to encourage homeowners who do not use lawn chemicals or cut their grass less often.

[01:23.29] Many towns are making rules about common tools like gas-powered leaf blowers and mowers, mostly because of noise.

[01:33.92] In parts of the U.S., people are experimenting with more “eco-friendly” lawns.

[01:40.56] They are planting seed mixes with native grasses that do not need as much water.

[01:46.67] Others are cutting the grass in their lawns less and letting old plant enemies such as dandelions and clover grow.

[01:56.50] Still others are trying to replace lawns, completely or bit by bit, with garden beds that are friendly for important insects such as bees.

[02:08.72] These measures can lead to a more natural-looking yard.

[02:12.97] The pandemic has sped up the move away from lawns.

[02:18.28] Gardening has grown as a hobby, and many non-gardeners spent more time at home.

[02:24.92] They are paying more attention to the natural world around them.

[02:29.71] Alicia Holloway is a University of Georgia Extension agent in Barrow County.

[02:36.87] She believes that many people realized that their yards cannot just be decorative – something that looks nice but has no use.

[02:46.70] Holloway said “It has to serve some other purpose, whether food, habitat … pack in as many uses as you can.” She described the change as “a shift in thought.”

[03:01.04] The American lawn is not disappearing anytime soon.

[03:05.30] Many homeowner groups still have rules about keeping yards cleanly cut.

[03:10.87] And lawn service companies offer work aimed at keeping up large grassy areas.

[03:17.78] Andrew Bray, vice president of government relations for the National Association of Landscape Professionals, a trade group, says lawns are still the most popular choice in the United States. People want neat outdoor spaces for relaxing, playing and entertaining.

[03:39.56] He says his group supports the goal of making lawn care more environmentally friendly.

[03:45.67] But, he added, he believes some recent laws, like those against gas-powered blowers and mowers, have created a “fraught political environment.”

[03:57.62] Fraught is a term that means having a lot of stress or worry.

[04:02.41] Liu said it is hard to overcome tradition and expectations of neighbors.

[04:09.04] He added that a lawn looks clean, “and it’s easy to keep doing what you’re doing.”

[04:15.16] But Liu added: “Once you’ve established a new equilibrium, it’s easier,” and there are good results.