As more cemeteries transition from traditional lawns to natural landscapes filled with native plants and wildflowers, the public's acceptance of these changes has surged, particularly during the pandemic. This movement not only enhances biodiversity but also allows burial grounds to serve as significant green spaces for communal solace and wildlife conservation.
Rewilding America’s Cemeteries: Nature Takes Precedence Over Tradition
Rewilding America’s Cemeteries: Nature Takes Precedence Over Tradition
A growing trend in U.S. burial sites opts for vibrant ecosystems over manicured lawns, fostering wildlife and community connections.
In recent years, cemeteries across the United States have started embracing a new approach to landscape management, prioritizing ecological diversity over traditional lawn care. This transformation spans Catholic and Jewish burial sites, historic cemeteries, and private graveyards, all contributing to a growing trend of rewilding.
Groundskeepers and horticulturists are increasingly letting grasses grow longer, replacing invasive species with native plants, and creating wildflower meadows instead of manicured turfgrass. This shift is particularly notable in urban environments where cemeteries have often served as some of the largest green spaces. During the pandemic, these areas became vital refuges where communities could safely gather.
Notable examples include Laurel Hill Cemetery in Pennsylvania, which saw record attendance levels during the pandemic, and Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, known for its picturesque 478 acres. The latter has witnessed a significant visitor influx, with 200,000 new guests drawn to its serene landscapes and newly established meadows.
The pandemic has catalyzed a broader acceptance of these ecological changes, breaking down prior resistance to longer grass and wildflower proliferation. Joseph Charap, Green-Wood's vice president of horticulture, stated, “The reaction was, ‘Oh, it’s beautiful,’” reflecting a changing attitude towards more natural and wildlife-friendly cemetery landscapes.
As the paradigm shifts, these burial sites not only honor the deceased but also nurture biodiversity and community well-being, reaffirming the role of cemeteries as crucial green spaces in urban settings. This movement suggests a rethinking of mourning spaces, highlighting a blend of remembrance and respect for nature.
Groundskeepers and horticulturists are increasingly letting grasses grow longer, replacing invasive species with native plants, and creating wildflower meadows instead of manicured turfgrass. This shift is particularly notable in urban environments where cemeteries have often served as some of the largest green spaces. During the pandemic, these areas became vital refuges where communities could safely gather.
Notable examples include Laurel Hill Cemetery in Pennsylvania, which saw record attendance levels during the pandemic, and Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, known for its picturesque 478 acres. The latter has witnessed a significant visitor influx, with 200,000 new guests drawn to its serene landscapes and newly established meadows.
The pandemic has catalyzed a broader acceptance of these ecological changes, breaking down prior resistance to longer grass and wildflower proliferation. Joseph Charap, Green-Wood's vice president of horticulture, stated, “The reaction was, ‘Oh, it’s beautiful,’” reflecting a changing attitude towards more natural and wildlife-friendly cemetery landscapes.
As the paradigm shifts, these burial sites not only honor the deceased but also nurture biodiversity and community well-being, reaffirming the role of cemeteries as crucial green spaces in urban settings. This movement suggests a rethinking of mourning spaces, highlighting a blend of remembrance and respect for nature.
