Book Review: Nature’s Best Hope (and a Valuable Online Resource!)
Many urban gardeners feel their small acreage cannot make much of a difference for wildlife, but Dr. Douglas Tallamy would like to argue otherwise. Tallamy, an entomologist, focuses on planting and gardening that benefits pollinator insects. In his book Nature’s Best Hope, Tallamy makes the case that individual small efforts can combine together to make a “Homegrown National Park” that can support and benefit pollinators and the larger environment.
Nature’s Best Hope is smooth and easy reading, despite the wealth of scientific information. An eco-conscious gardener will be fascinated by the knowledge inside. Tallamy makes suggestions that are specific and easy for most gardeners to implement.
Recommendations from the Book
What are the suggestions? Reduce the amount of grass lawn in your yard, and replace it with native ground cover plants. Install a water source—a fountain or bubbler—for migrating birds. If you must mow the grass, keep it 3-4” high. Leave leaf litter for insects. Most of all, plant native species wherever possible.
An incredible online resource for finding native plants suited to your area can be found at https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder. Tallamy’s team developed this database and site. Enter your zip code and a list of native plants will appear, along with a list of the butterflies and moths supported by each.
Tallamy suggests focusing on the plants that will maximize the positive impact. For example, muhly grass ((Muhlenbergia sp.) is a native plant in my area that serves as a host for only three caterpillar species. However, goldenrod (Solidago sp.) serves as a host for 102 different butterfly and moth species here in Western North Carolina! If my space is limited, I would choose to plant the latter.
Homegrown National Park
While Tallamy encourages individual homeowners to use his suggestions, he acknowledges that most individuals do not have enough yard space to put in all of the plants that pollinators need. However, he suggests that if many individuals take these steps the result will be a collection of backyards that meet those needs when combined together. This network forms the “Homegrown National Park”.
Since publication, Dr. Tallamy and his team have formed a nonprofit organization to provide more information and support gardeners interested in pollinator-friendly yards. The website for Homegrown National Park provides more information and resources.
If you feel overwhelmed and discouraged when thinking about environmental problems, Nature’s Best Hope will leave you feeling hopeful and empowered.
