@Bschmuck, we look forward to seeing photos as the project progresses!
Where I live, the careless disposal of a cigarette encouraged by the prairie winds can start a field fire in nothing flat. Grass grows easily here; it is, after all, the land of the tall grass prairie. It isn't a big chore requiring a lot of additional input to have a nice lawn.
@NMoasis, I understand why you wouldn't want one in your more arid climate. I don't know anything about the "wanted wildlife" that lives in your neighborhood, but I can tell you that all sorts of songbirds use my lawn as a home improvement/grocery store!
