Fairfax County, in collaboration with Clean Air Partners, is excited to announce a series of “Green Your Lawn” events aimed at promoting air quality awareness and sustainable lawn care practices. These events will provide residents with practical tips on reducing emissions from yard work and offer opportunities to exchange gas-powered lawn tools for free electric alternatives.

Event Details:

• May 17, Reston Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to Noon
• May 18, Lorton Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to Noon
• May 24, Ace Hardware in Fairfax, Va., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.*
• June 8, Healthy Together Fairfax, Franconia Park, 12- 3 p.m.*

(*Event will feature Backyard Bubble)

Residents attending the events will learn simple yet effective tips to improve air quality in their communities and can enter for a chance to win free electric lawn tools. Some events will feature the interactive Backyard Bubble, an engaging way to understand the impact of lawn care on air quality. To further support this initiative, residents can register to trade in their polluting gas-powered lawn tools in exchange for new Ego Power+ mowers, blowers, and trimmers. 

At the May 24 “Green Your Lawn” event at Ace Hardware in Fairfax, Braddock District Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw will be joined by City of Fairfax Mayor Catherine S. Read and Councilmember Thomas D. Peterson to recognize Air Quality Awareness. 

“As temperatures rise, so does the risk of poor air quality,” said Walkinshaw, Chair of the Board’s Environmental Committee. “By encouraging the switch to electric lawn equipment, we can cut harmful emissions, protect public health, and make our neighborhoods cleaner and more livable.”

According to Clean Air Partners, using a gas-powered leaf blower for 1 hour creates as much air pollution as driving a car for 1,100-plus miles. Besides opting for electric lawn tools, you can do your share for clean air by:

• Mowing only on good air quality days
• Using organic fertilizers & pesticides
• Leaving grass clippings to make your own mulch

“We are thrilled to offer these events and tool exchanges to our community,” said John Morrill, director of Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination “By making the switch to electric lawn tools and implementing sustainable lawn care practices, we can all contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment.”

Join us in our efforts to green your lawn and improve our air quality. Register now for one of the “Green Your Lawn” events and take the first step towards a more sustainable future.

For more information and to register for the tool exchange, visit the registration form. 

Visit the county's electric-powered lawn equipment page to learn more about the benefits of making the switch. 

About Clean Air Partners
Clean Air Partners is a public-private partnership that educates the greater metropolitan Washington-Baltimore region about the health risks associated with poor air quality and the benefits of reducing air pollution.