“The world’s ugliest lawn”. Could it really be true?
The answer is yes.
It was in 2022 that the Gotland region arranged the competition for the first time. Then the competition only applied to Gotland. The winner was Marcus Nordström, which was noticed in Efter fem.
– It still feels good to win something, he said then.
The initiative received worldwide attention, including from media such as the Washington Post and the British The Guardian. This year, the competition was extended to apply worldwide. Entries were submitted from countries all over the world. Among others from the USA, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, Australia and New Zealand.
Nine countries submitted
In 2023, it was Kathleen Murray from Sandford, Tasmania. who drew the longest straw.
“It is the most beautiful example of the least attractive lawn for the most worthy cause in the world: saving water,” read the justification.
– I knew I would get my 5 minutes of fame, even if it was for having the ugliest lawn on the planet! I am now freed from ever mowing my lawn again, says Kathleen in a press release.
Choosing the winner was not an easy decision.
– It was a very difficult decision. We had a bunch of lawns from about nine countries. An international jury from five different time zones. It was very ugly lawns that were sent in, says Mimmi Gibson, brand manager at Gotland.
As a reward, Murray was awarded a diploma and a recycled t-shirt with the text “Proud owner of the world’s ugliest lawn”.
Shouldn’t be ashamed
Mimmi Gibson is happy that the competition has received such enormous attention.
– It feels fantastic. It’s more than we could have ever hoped for and we get a chance to really talk about saving water.
The competition was established to encourage everyone to conserve water and thereby promote biodiversity. This year’s edition was launched in collaboration with Hollywood actress and environmental activist Shailene Woodley.
Mimmi Gibson, on the other hand, does not think that you need to be ashamed of your lawn, if it were to be traditionally green and beautiful.
– You have to think about why you need it. What are you trying to prove to yourself and to your neighbors?