Even the most eco-conscious Canadians might be surprised by some of the hidden benefits of “backyarding” for people and the planet. (Americans, there is plenty here for you, too!)

Backyarding is the act of creating an at-home outdoor space for everything from working to exercising, from entertaining to relaxing. During the pandemic we recognized using the outdoors as an extension of the home is a better way to live year-round. But did you know your yard, parks and other community green space do even more than that?

Backyarding means more than just getting outdoors. It means understanding and working with your backyard. When you take care of it, your yard takes care of you and the planet in many ways.

Here are some little known facts about the benefits of backyarding:

Overall well-being is raised.

• 94 percent of people credit time spent in nature with helping them cope with stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic, according to a recent poll conducted for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. In addition, Canadians who reported better mental health during the pandemic were more likely to have exercised outdoors.
• Living in a greener neighborhood could lower the risk of early death, say Canadian researchers.
• Grassy areas absorb noise, which cut down on excessive sound, a growing problem in urban areas where hardscapes and pavement reverberate sound.

Yards do a lot.

• One 5,000-square foot grass lawn can produce enough oxygen each day to support 23 people in Vancouver, according to the Lawn Institute.
• Turfgrass controls erosion through its natural, dense and fibrous root system, which holds soil in place.
• Grass plays a vital role in capturing dust, smoke particles and other pollutants that harm people.
• Eight average-sized front lawns can provide the cooling equivalent to air-conditioning for 18 homes.

Children need nature.

• Exposure to green space helps children hit developmental milestones.
• Physical activity can improve kids’ brain health by boosting both cognitive ability and mental wellness according to a comprehensive assessment in Canada. Time in nature – starting in our own backyards – is a gateway to this much-needed physical activity.

Backyards are urban wildlife habitats.

• Nature starts in your own backyard. Increasing the biodiversity of urban green spaces can help people and wildlife adapt to the urban environment in the face of climate change. In short, our yard, parks, schoolyards and other community green spaces are vital to the world’s ecosystem.
• Adding native trees, bushes and other plants to our backyards and community green spaces offers food and protection for important pollinators. Nearly 3 billion birds have disappeared in North America since 1970, according to a study published in the Science Journal.

For more about the many benefits of green space and backyarding, go to TurfMutt.com.