With our environment under current and constant threat, biodiversity should be at the front of our minds. How are we living for clean and safe air, water, soil, and energy in little ways in our daily lives?
What actions could we take to increase biodiversity in a human scale kind of way? By that I mean not tacking oil companies or water polluters, although that is important too, but small at home everyday actionable ways that aren’t overwhelming or require lots of bureaucracy?
How about not using pesticides and herbicides on your lawn this year? Then, planting some native plants in your yard! I’ve been reading the book Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy and it is astounding how many insects need specific native plants – and then in turn, how many birds need those insects as food.
Exotics are awesome, and I grow many myself, but I am really feeling these days that it is my duty to grow at least as many natives as I do exotics. So this spring, I am preparing to do just that. I used to think my small pesticide and herbicide free “lawn” (aka open space of green weeds) housed enough native wildflowers and “weeds” to suffice, but after a quarter into Tallamy’s book, I realize that’s not the case.
Come April, I plan to add as many natives as I can get my hands on, that are appropriate for my beach area. And I’m really excited because that means lots more biodiversity in my yard! from butterflies, to birds, to lizards, and more things I probably don’t even know about yet!
Now, how do I keep the neighborhood cats out of my yard and away from all the new birds I’ll be attracting………?
What’s the first step you cold take to increase the biodiversity in your yard, nearest park, or on your patio?
Share your ideas in the comments below!
Share pics of your native plants on Instagram #wingswormsandwonder !
Seeds to Sprout:
Check out the book and get a list of what to plant for attracting butterflies on Tallamy’s site here! (This list is for the mid-atlantic region of the states, because that’s where Tallamy lives and where his research is focused.)
Get lists of native plants, nurseries, and organizations to help you in all the states here
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