OZONE GARDENS

As the Charlotte region continues to grow in population, our air quality continues to worsen.  Ground-level ozone pollution, caused by the interaction of heat, sunlight, and emissions from vehicles and coal-fired power plants, is a threat to our public health and to the plants and animals that share our habitat.

Plant a Hands-On Science Experiment in Your Backyard, Schoolyard or Public Park!

Ozone Gardens are a fun and educational way to monitor our region's air quality through ozone season.  Leaves on NC's native plants are special bio-indicators for ozone - they contain chlorophyll which is highly sensitive to the pollution. The purple or stippling on leaves (shown on picture to left) is one of the first common signs.  Plants then begin to yellow (chlorosis) and eventually show signs of death (necrosis). By learning what to look for on the lower sets of leaves of certain plants, you can be a scientist in your own backyard and even report findings to researchers at Appalachian State University.

Why Plant an Ozone Garden?

Because Ozone Gardens...

• Teach children and adults how to monitor ground-level ozone through leaf injury analysis and see air pollution’s effects on plants

• Provide spaces of beauty for backyards, schoolyards and other public places including greenways and parks

• Provide food for wildlife like bees, butterflies and birds

• Encourage individual lifestyle choices which reduce ozone pollution in our community
 

Start your Ozone Garden today and help
Clear the Air for Kids!

Call us at 704-342-9161 or
email director@clean-air-coalition.org

Co-sponsored by the
Arts & Science Council