Nature's Best Hope by Douglas Tallamy

Summary (edited from Amazon): Tallamy outlines his vision for a grassroots approach to conservation. Nature’s Best Hope shows how homeowners everywhere can turn their yards into conservation corridors that provide wildlife habitats. Because this approach relies on the initiatives of private individuals, it is immune from the whims of government policy. Even more important, it’s practical, effective, and easy—you will walk away with specific suggestions you can incorporate into your own yard.

Reviews:
Virginia Native Plant Society: https://vnps.org/book-review-natures-best-hope-by-doug-tallamy/
TPR Newsmedia: https://tbrnewsmedia.com/book-review-natures-best-hope/

Interviews and Webinars:
Away to Garden: https://awaytogarden.com/how-conservation-starts-in-your-yard-doug-tallamy-on-natures-best-hope/
Land Conservancy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3X6wWCWm0A
Garden for Wildlife Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDRGryX1uVI
National Wildlife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY4aV5hqkxY

MAREA: https://themarea.org/event/douglas-tallamy-talks-live-about-natures-best-hope-and-the-opportunity-to-save-our-own-backyards/

Articles:
1. Smithsonian: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/meet-ecologist-who-wants-unleash-wild-backyard-180974372/
2. NYTimes: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/realestate/how-and-why-to-use-native-plants.html

3. Global human influence maps reveal clear opportunities in conserving Earth's remaining terrestrial ecosystems: Global Change Biology: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.15109: Half the Earth is Relatively Intact from Human Influence: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/half-earth-relatively-intact-global-human-influence/

Convention on Biological Diversity: https://www.cbd.int/convention/

Half Earth Project: https://www.half-earthproject.org/

Nature Needs Half: https://natureneedshalf.org/

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: https://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/index.html

Author's Website: http://www.bringingnaturehome.net/

Local Native Plant Nurseries:
Bowman's Hill: https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/
Gino's Nursery: https://www.ginosnursery.com/
NE Native Perennials: http://www.nenativesandperennials.com/index2.html
Edge of the Woods Nursery: http://www.nenativesandperennials.com/index2.html

Native Plant Sites:
1. PA-DCNR:
https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/WildPlants/LandscapingwithNativePlants/Pages/default.aspx
2. Native Plant Finder: https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/

3. Plants for Birds by Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/PLANTSFORBIRDS

Discussion Questions: 

 

1.     What is your knowledge and use currently of native plants in your home landscape?

 

2.     Discuss the relationship of man to nature, how it evolved, and the causes of its breakdown.

 

3.     What conservation efforts and actions have been taken to try to save nature and threatened species and how effective have they been, including the national park system, Endangered Species Act, etc. (p. 30-)

 

4.     Occupying 1.9% of the surface of the US, turf is the single largest irrigated crop in the US and has led also to habitat destruction and fragmentation. Discuss the various cultural, ecological and evolutionary influences that have led to this situation. (p. 51-)

 

5.     “Carrying capacity is the ability of a particular place to support a specific species.” Discuss its relevance including impact of deer. (p. 85-)

 

6.     There are over 3300 invasive plants species in the United States alone. What is their impact on native plants, animals and the overall ecosystem? What are the ecological consequences?  (p. 96-, 111-)

 

7.     “Caterpillars are the mainstay of most bird diets in North America, particularly when birds are rearing their young.” Discuss why they are so important and what we can do to help their populations including which keystone plants to plant? (130, 168)

 

8.     Let’s not forget the bees and their role, including that they pollinate a third of our crops as well as pollinate 87% of all plants.  What are some steps we can take to support them?

 

9.     We’ve read many nature books and I’m always delighted to read yet another amazing story and learn about a new finding. What did you find surprising?

 

10.  Discuss Tallamy’s concept of a Homegrown National Park and what are the steps that he suggests we take to contribute to it?   (p. 205-)

The Humane Gardener by Nancy Lawson

Summary from Amazon:
"In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. 

Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world."


Reviews: 
Library Journal: "This gorgeously written, well-argued title will help backyard gardeners see all creatures, from insects to elk, as visitors to be welcomed rather than pests to be removed. Highly recommended for gardeners at all levels in all regions."

Nancy Lawson's Website: http://www.humanegardener.com

Article by author, "Wild by Design" on the Humane Society site: 
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/magazines/2017/09-10/wild-by-design-neighbors.html?credit=web_vanity_allanimals_id827141171

Humane Society Gardener sign: https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Donation2?df_id=13521&13521.donation=form1&s_src=direct_hby

Radio Interview with Nancy Lawson: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/big-blend-radio/2017/07/15/big-blend-radio-humane-gardening-with-nancy-lawson

***Bucks County Audubon Society Event: We will be hosting Nancy Lawson, who will be conducting a demonstration at our Organic and Pollinator Gardens, discussing her new book, The Humane Gardener and also be doing a Book Signing from 10:00 to 12:00 on September 23 at our Visitor Center at Honey Hollow Environmental Center located on 2877 Creamery Road in Solebury near Peddler's Village. ***

Current Citizen Science Programs at Bucks County Audubon Society at Honey Hollow: http://www.bcas.org/?s=citizen+science

Useful native plant and helping pollinator sites:
>Native Plant Database for PA: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/plants/nativeplants/

>Bowman's Hill" www.bhwp.org

>Xerces Society: www.xerces.org

> Pollinator Partnership: www.pollinator.org

Quotes from the book:
"As I wage a halfhearted battle with barberry and other invaders that ended up here through no fault of their own, I often wish I could hold an international plant exchange with gardeners overseas, together reversing the sins of our horticultural past in whatever small way we can."

"What systemic insecticides are doing is they're breaking up 146 million years of coevolution."

"Your yard is part of a larger environment. And it's not like deer are coming into your living room and eating your couch. They're just trying to make a living."

Discussion Questions:

1.     What did you find surprising or intriguing in this book?

2.     The author talks about how nature can creep into your garden or yard, if you let it. What wonderful unexpected things have you found?

3.     Have you had the opportunity to make changes in your yards or gardens to make spaces for critters, including pollinators, snakes, etc., to add native plants, to provide a water source, to reduce pesticide use, turn lights off at night, etc.? If yes, what have you done and what have you observed?

4.      “To make the task of converting to wildlife-friendly plants less daunting, Parker recommends starting with a dozen native wildflower species – four for each season of bloom and adding a few grasses, fruiting shrubs, and nut bearing trees.” What do you think of this recommendation? What are some of your favorite native plants?

5.     What do you think of fighting invasives with vigorous natives?

6.     The author states, “As I wage a halfhearted battle with barberry and other invaders that ended up here through no fault of their own, I often wish I could hold an international plant exchange with gardeners overseas, together reversing the sins of our horticultural past in whatever small way we can.” If you could, what plant would you hand off?

7.     What kind of problems, i.e. invasives, pests, etc. do you have in your yard/garden and hope to solve, after reading this book?

8.     Are you familiar with or have you participated in any of the 150+ Citizen Science programs, like Monarch Watch, Bumble Bee Watch, Audubon Christmas Bird Count, ebird, etc. and if yes, which ones?

9.     After reading Chapter 5, “ A Harvest for All: Share the Bounty through Peaceful Coexistence”, where the author writes, “Evolution towards a more humane ethic is not just a moral imperative but also the only practical solution in an increasing crowded world. “, what are your reactions to her ideas regarding treating humanely animals, such as deer, groundhogs, skunk, opossums, raccoons, etc.? Have you had any personal experiences with any of these animals?

10. What suggestions in this book do you hope to incorporate in your own yard/gardens?