The perfect American lawn—green, lush, weed- and pest-free—is pursued by millions of Americans, who expend a massive amount of resources to attain this ideal. Americans spend an estimated $25 billion a year on lawn care, and a one-acre lawn costs approximately $400–$700 a year to maintain (Bormann, Balmori, Geballe 1993; EPA 2009a). While lawn care seems to be just part of everyday life, the effects of lawn maintenance on the environment are not minor. This article will address the myriad effects of lawn maintenance and environmentally friendly alternatives.