We often think of nature as something distant and separate from us, as if we must travel to reach it. However, in reality, we are a part of nature, not apart from it. Long ago, we distanced ourselves from nature and viewed it as external to us, but it is the life force that sustains us, all other living beings, and the planet as a whole.
Nature’s resources that support all life on earth are under pressure by our continuous growth, building, and sprawling. According to Douglas Tallamy in his book Nature’s Best Hope, “We already intensively farm or graze nearly half of the earth’s land surfaces. The remaining 50 percent is divided between cities, suburbs, vast complexes of infrastructure, the patchwork of fragmented second-growth habitat scattered here and there, uninhabitable areas, and the areas already preserved, which total only 17 percent of the earth’s land surface.”
Despite human growth and sprawl, we have the power to restore nature right where we live, giving back to what has continuously supported us all. It’s as simple as reimagining the landscapes of our gardens, lawns, empty lots, and any other areas where we can plant native species that have long been absent from our surroundings. Native plants support local wildlife, including pollinators, which play a crucial role in revitalizing our damaged ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems contribute to our wellbeing by providing oxygen, carbon dioxide storage, and cleaner water, all beginning with the simple act of planting native plants and flowers.
To learn more of how you can plant native species, visit homegrownnationalpark.org.
Image courtesy of www.thamestalbotlandandtrust.ca
