Butterflies
Last Minute Gift Idea: Think Native Woody Plants!
Stuck trying to find a last minute holiday gift? Why not give an easy gift that keeps on giving to your loved one and the environment? A coupon for a native tree or shrub will do the trick! Make it simple by creating your own coupon on a holiday card: “Good for one native tree or shrub.” In the spring,…
Read MoreDeclining Species: A Huge Red Flag
The recent press on the dramatic decline in Monarch butterflies prompted me to write this letter just published in the “Community Views” section of The Journal News. Please read and share. We can make a tremendous positive impact through our own actions! http://www.lohud.com/article/20131219/OPINION/312190073/Declining-species-huge-red-flag from Kim Eierman at EcoBeneficial Photo: Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed Photo credit: Flickr_thoeflich
Read MoreUs vs. Them? Can We Afford to Remain Disconnected from Environmental Realities?
The population of Monarch butterflies has declined to the lowest level ever recorded, pollinators are in a well-reported nose dive, the 20 most common bird species have declined by 68% in the past 45 years. What does this all mean for us humans, the one species that all other species could exist without? It turns out that we need other…
Read MoreNative Edibles: The Tropical Looking Pawpaw
As the chill of winter sets in, it’s a great time to start making plans for your spring planting. Start with the structural “bones” of your landscape – native trees. In mature landscapes it may be difficult to find the space for another large tree, in that case “go small” with an understory, or smaller native tree. A smaller tree…
Read MoreInterview with Dr. Doug Tallamy, Author of Bringing Nature Home
Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Doug Tallamy at his home. Doug is the author of Bringing Nature Home: How you Can Sustain Wildlife With Native Plants, a book which has sparked a new cycle of enthusiasm for native plants and ecological landscapes. Doug is Professor & Chair of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware,…
Read MoreMeadowscaping: A Perfect Alternative to Lawns
You might be thinking about doing some planting this fall. Why not consider planting a native meadowscape: a meadow or a meadow-like garden? Meadowscapes are fantastic ecological alternatives to lifeless lawns (“green deserts”). Whether you have a tiny yard or an expansive landscape, you can create a native meadowscape and give your landscape a big ecological boost. Bees, butterflies, other…
Read MoreHelping Pollinators & Improving Ecosystems: Inspirations from the UK
Just “across the pond” in the United Kingdom, there are some inspiring initiatives going on to help pollinators and create environmental improvements. In June of this year the British Government’s Minister for Environmental Science announced that a National Pollinator Strategy will soon be created. This is the only country I know of which has placed pollinators, and their critical role…
Read MoreThe Power of Every Landscape
It’s no secret to followers of this blog that I encourage the use of regional native plants because they have co-evolved with other living things and support our ecosystems. These symbiotic relationships are fundamental to a healthy environment. The great news is that every backyard, every community garden, every rooftop garden, every commercial landscape and every container on a patio…
Read MoreHost Plants: Feeding Caterpillars = Building Butterflies
Many homeowners and landscapers don’t realize the futility of just planting exotic nectar plants to support butterflies. Caterpillars of butterflies have evolved with specific host plants on which they depend. Some caterpillars use a very limited number of native host plants, some have the ability to use a wider range of plants. Caterpillars typically eat a small portion of the…
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