'Lawnbuster' volunteer, 8, has been working tirelessly 'one yard at a time' to deal with California drought
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA: The weather and climate issues have been known and talked about for a very long time now in California now as a severe drought has wrecked havoc in the last three years. It would not be wrong to say that California has been witnessing its driest days yet recently. However, there is a group of volunteers in South Bay called ‘Lawnbusters’ who are contributing to the conservation efforts as directed by the water officials.
Among them, there is an 8-year-old who has been putting in his efforts ‘one yard at a time’. Ridhann Desai is an 8-year-old who is a part of the ‘Lawnbusters’ group that works from house to house replacing grass in the lawns with plants that are drought-tolerant.
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When asked, Riddhan said he likes doing his bit for the environment. In spite of the job being sweaty, hot, and dirty, he has been on this job duty for more than a year now. Unlike the kids of his age, he chooses to work in the sun with garden tools than play video games.
The Lawnbusters volunteer group is an initiative by Our City Forest, a non-profit organization aiming to upgrade the lawns of the residents to vegetation that guzzles less water but still provides ground cover. As the irrigation of lawns consumes a good portion of household water usage, it is important to have a set-up that is appropriate for this situation of crisis.
According to Mercury News, Our City Forest’s executive director Rhonda Berry said in a statement, “Lawns take up a large portion of overall residential water usage, and even a small lawn can use more than 18,000 gallons of water a year.” Praising the efforts of the ‘Lawnbusters’ he added, “Converting front lawns to drought-friendly plants benefits the urban ecosystem and show that these landscapes are both sustainable and beautiful.”
Since having a lawn that is drought resistant is not something all the residents can afford, ‘Lawnbusters’ are helping older people, veterans, and low-income families. About 25% of the program has been reserved for low-income households that qualify for the requirements. They have converted about 200 lawns since the year 2015.
As per CBS News, Bridget Thorpe who helps run the ‘Lawnbusters’ stated about their clientele, "I think it's people that see that we're in a climate crisis. And they want to help and they're looking for a way to make an impact in their community. And it's honestly heartwarming because it's not on the individual to make an impact, right? It's on the community to make a difference."
An example of the work pattern of the volunteer group can be seen through their work done for a home lawn in Willow Glenn. They would lay down cardboard to suffocate the grass and later mulch to retain the moisture. Then they lay plants that would consume the carbon dioxide, capture the weeds and other runoffs and provide food and habitat for the wildlife.
The 96-year-old homeowner Gene Handloff expressed his joy by saying “I'm just overjoyed. It humbled me. I really was. Yeah, because, people, they don't know me. And they're working out here shoveling mulch and compost, and planting little plants all for me.” He added, "I'm glad I was able to do my part. Actually it was done for me." When young Riddhan was asked the reason behind him doing what he does, he referred to the Jewish phrase ‘Tikkun Olam’ meaning ‘world repair”. He said, “One small step can fix or heal the world, that’s powerful.”