A healthy and sustainable landscape provides us with food, beauty and recreation. By understanding our land and the web of life it supports, we can become good stewards of our landscapes and our Earth. This page provides information and resources to help you take care of your land and provide a habitat for Lakewood's flora and fauna.
Compost is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that is great for your plants, lawn and gardens. Learn how easy it is to make your own compost in your backyard from food scraps and yard waste through workshops offered by the city or through our partner, Sprout City Farms.
Denver Urban Gardens Learn to Compost Classes
View upcoming classes on the D.U.G. website.
Sprout City Farms - Composting Workshops
View upcoming workshops on the Sprout City Farms website.
Bees and other pollinators are facing threats, which has devastating consequences for our ecosystems and many of the crops that we eat every day. Neonicotinoids, one of the most widely used classes of insecticides in the world, are systemic, persistent neurotoxins that spread throughout a treated plant including to the pollen that is gathered by pollinators. Neonicotinoids cause significant damage to a wide range of pollinators and are a key factor in the decline of bee populations, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Report on the National Stakeholders Conference on Honey Bee Health.
You can take action to protect pollinators by becoming a "Bee Safe" home and not applying systemic pesticides to your yard. Learn more about the Bee Safe initiative by visiting the Bee Safe webpage.
There are many alternatives to traditional home lawns, including xeriscape, wildlife gardens and food gardens. Follow the links to learn more.
Garden for wildlife - Learn how to create a sustainable garden that helps wildlife.
Plant Selection - Learn which plants thrive in changing climates and which plants use fewer resources.
Lawn Irrigation - Learn how to use your water more efficiently when irrigating your lawn.
Certified Gardener Program - Learn the latest gardening techniques and become an authority for sharing your gardening know-how in this program from Colorado State University.
With a direct connection to health, nature and culture, locally grown food is fundamental to a strong community. Visit our local food webpage to learn more about how you can grow, sell and buy food locally in Lakewood.