GE2-1 Conduct, or hire a consultant to conduct a Turf Conversion Master Plan supporting the ground cover goals included in this CAIP. Analyze public and private property for unused turf and impervious areas, and create a Ground Cover Conversion Implementation plan to convert to native plant and pollinator restoration areas, permaculture areas, wetlands, shrub, tree coverage or urban agriculture uses with goals by census tract.
Include goals and an implementation plan to meet or exceed the CAIP goals for tree, native pollinator area, and lawn conversion for local government or publicly owned properties. Goals should be weighted by heat island, water runoff, and equity needs. Identify incentive opportunities and establish an outreach campaign.
GE2-2 Support the use of native plants in landscaping at local government and publicly owned properties.
GE2-3 Explore and develop partnerships with the largest land owners in the community to engage in turf replacement projects and establish demonstration / pilot projects illustrating strategies
GE2-4 Establish and effectively manage native-habitat corridors along trails and utility easement areas to restore and maintain landscape connectivity.
GE2-5 Put in place an effective campaign to discourage and minimize use of toxic pesticides and herbicides, with a particular focus on those which are most toxic to Kane County ecosystems. Such a campaign might have several aspects, including a long-term communications focus, direct education work with landscapers and businesses that sell and use such products, direct education with homeowners and businesses, direct work with community organizations that promote gardening, etc.
GE2-6 Develop guidelines and recommendations for types of native, climate adaptive plantings as turf alternatives for particular areas, such as parks, other open areas, and household backyards. Make publicizing the resource part of an overarching long-term communications plan for the climate actions and hold educational workshops.
