Growing Greener Lawns

Reported July 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Every summer, wildfires consume thousands of acres of vegetation, threaten wildlife and set the stage for mudslides that can wreak even more havoc. Now, scientists have developed a new kind of soil technology that could stabilize those areas and help them grow again. And now, there could be an added bonus for anyone trying to keep their lawn greener this summer.

For homeowner David Feschuk the challenge is keeping his lawn green through a long drought. "I don't want the grass to die and at the same rate I want to be able to conserve water to not overwater the grass and have the water run off," said Feschuk.

For the forest service, it's bringing back a scorched mountainside after a devastating wildfire. Now, a new kind of soil technology offers solutions for both.

Now soil scientists in Wisconsin have developed a way to turn office waste into a product that can stabilize the soil Recycled paper is dried and combined with chemically made polymers and other ingredients. When mixed with soil, the ingredients are attracted together -- like a magnet -- creating a net. Industrial engineer Mike Krysiak, Industrial Engineer & President of ENCAP, calls it AST … advanced soil technology.

"Advanced soil technology is about engaging the soil to do the work -- stops erosion, helps with better water penetration," said Krysiak

Dropped by aircraft, the product, called Pam 12 is now being used by the forest service to stabilize burn areas. Researchers say that same technology is used in soil-binding lawn products that don't wash away, and won't damage the environment. They've even developed a new kind of seed watering technology that actually tells you when it needs watering.

It's new technology designed to reduce paper waste, save water, restore burned hillsides and make your world a little greener.

The American Geophysical Union contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Mike Krysiak, President and Chief Officer of ENCAP
Green Bay, WI
(920) 406-5055
mkrysiak@encap.net

American Geophysical Union
Washington, DC 20009-1277
1 (800) 966-2481
http://www.agu.org

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