You may have noticed that I am a big fan of Doug Tallamy‘s Bringing Nature Home, but now another of my favorite authors thinks so too. If you haven’t yet read this amazing book, drop everything and do so now.
Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods brought attention to the plight of “nature deficit disorder.” It is a sad fact that kids (and adults) know more about Polar Bears in the arctic, Gorillas and Lions in Africa, and Pandas in Asia from television than they do about the frogs, birds, butterflies, and other critters in our own neighborhoods. Many of these animals are just as endangered as those seen on TV.
Louv has applied his passion for exposing kids to nature in his review of Tallamy’s book, which points out that without a commitment by gardeners to using native plants in our landscapes, there may soon be no nature left.
I especially appreciate the fact that Richard has painted a picture of Monarch migration, as well as that of neotropical migrant birds and connected these phenomena to our own backyards, suggesting that if we plant a patch of milkweed, nectar plants, or a planting to support birds right next to our barbecues, we would become part of the wonder of migration. It would be happening right around us.
It’s important to note that Conservation Gardening is not about taking our space out of our own use, but that we can share that space with the wildlife around us.
Our gardens for wildlife are not just the perennial bed or the tomato patch, but a commitment to managing the whole of our properties in ways that benefit wildlife.
Please read Richard Louv’s article and let me know what you think in the comments below.
Ways to get involved at Ecosystem Gardening:
- Show off Your Wildlife Garden–we’d love to see what you’ve got, so pick your favorite photo of your habitat garden and get the chance to be published at Ecosystem Gardening
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© 2009 – 2010, Carole Brown. All rights reserved.
