In the first week of Tending Nature, we considered what E.O. Wilson called “the little things that run the world” with Mary Gardiner’s focus on beneficial insect biodiversity. In Week 2 we zoomed out to consider the importance of native plants with Doug Tallamy. In Week 3, we’ll broaden our gaze to consider the human community. How can neighbors, neighborhoods, organizations work together to enhance habitat using native plants?
In our Friday webinar, Lisa Olsen of Wild Ones presents, “Cultivating a Community of Support for Native Plants.” 
Wild Ones has developed a series of landscape designs using native plants for nine U.S. cities, including plant lists and video webinars with the garden designers with the premise with, “the premise that using native plants in landscaping can be beautiful, promote wildlife, and be achievable for gardeners of all skillsets in terms of scope and budget.” Learn more about Wild Ones and their exciting Native Plant Garden Designs (and other resources) on our Learn With Us page.
This week’s readings in Bringing Nature Home focus on building balanced communities, gardening for insect diversity, and suggestions for balancing habitat enhancement efforts with the expectations of our neighbors. In chapter 3 of Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife, we’ll consider strategies to bring water into the landscape.
Participants in urban areas (and everyone else!) will want to view Gerardo Camilo‘s recent webinar, “The City as Refuge for Insect Pollinators.” Dr. Camilo describes why cities are such important places for pollinator biodiversity. He also discusses St. Louis Audubon Society’s “Bringing Conservation Home” effort which provides a model for creating certified landscapes to benefit wildlife. All five “Pollinators in the City“ webinar speakers were fabulous (Mary Gardiner, Reed Johnson, Scott MacIvor and Damon Hall); recordings are available to view indefinitely.
Enjoy exploring the resources, papers, and readings this week. “See” you at Friday’s webinar!