9 minute read
green living
Pollinator-Friendly Yards
Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants
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by Betsy S. Franz
For some people, perfectly mowed lawns without a trace of a weed or an insect makes them proud, but they may not realize that this method of gardening and landscaping could be harming the local ecosystem and the important pollinators that we rely on to keep food and flowers reproducing.
Pollinators are the creatures that move pollen grains from the male anther of one plant to the female stigma of another,
thereby helping plants to produce seeds for the next generation. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these hard-working animals pollinate more than 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants and nearly 75 percent of our crops, including chocolate and coffee. Without pollinators, say biologists, neither the human race nor the Earth’s ecosystems would survive.
Like many species, some pollinators are showing steady population declines, attributed in part to habitat loss and exposure to pesticides. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that grassy lawns occupy almost 2 percent of the total U.S. land mass, making grass the single largest irrigated crop in the country, which is why the way that people garden and maintain their landscapes can either harm or help pollinators. Many people spending more time at home last year due to the pandemic did more gardening and maintaining of their own landscapes, often without realizing the significance and impact of their activities. “Now, for the first time in its history, gardening has taken on a role that transcends the needs of the gardener. Like it or not, gardeners have become important players in the management of our nation’s wildlife,” writes Douglas Tallamy, an agriculture and natural resources professor at the University of Delaware, in his book Bringing Nature Home.
“Bees are what comes to mind when most people think of pollinators, but pollinators include many other species, including some flies, moths, butterflies, wasps and beetles, as well as bats, hummingbirds and even a few mammals,” says David Mizejewski, a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. Fortunately, the same principles that make home landscapes more inviting to pollinators also make it safer and friendlier for a wide variety of wildlife.
RETHINK THE PERFECT LANDSCAPE
“One of the main dangers for pollinators is loss of appropriate habitat,” says Andre Kessler, an ecology and evolutionary biology professor at Cornell University. “To help them, give up your idea of the perfect, manicured landscape and aim to restore their preferred habitat.” Kessler suggests leaving part of a landscape a bit untidy by including native plants and mowing less often. “An island of native vegetation usually provides flowering plants year-round and, similarly important, nesting sites for native bees,” he says.
Tallamy advocates halving the total amount of space devoted to lawns in the continental U.S.—reducing water, pesticide and fertilizer use—and replacing grass with plants that sustain more animal life. Leave the leaves, sticks and debris, says Mizejewski. “Many species rely on leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material. Many moth and butterfly caterpillars overwinter in fallen leaves before emerging in spring.”
With so many different species of pollinators across the diverse terrain of America, few plants work for all locales. Most experts believe the best option is choosing native plants. The Pollinator Partnership (Pollinator.org) lists plants for each zone by ZIP code, as well as the pollinators they attract. There are also native plant societies in many areas that offer specific recommendations.
ELIMINATE THE CHEMICALS
“Probably the most important thing the home gardener can do to overcome the pollinator and broader biodiversity crisis is to avoid using any pesticides,” says Kessler. “The uncontrolled use of insecticides and herbicides is the major reason for the dramatic loss of insect life in general and most other organisms depending on those insects.”
“It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to make a difference,” Tallamy writes. “In this case, the difference will be to the future of biodiversity, to the native plants and animals of North America, and the ecosystems that sustain them.”
Betsy S. Franz is a freelance writer and photographer who seeks a loving, sustainable balance between the nature of our world and the inner nature of man.
Learn More About Pollinators
EcorEgional planting guidEs:
Pollinator.org/guides
pollinator-friEndly nativE plant lists:
Xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/ pollinator-friendly-plant-lists
lawn to wildflowErs app:
LawnToWildflowers.org/download
nativE plant sociEtiEs:
ahsGardening.org/gardeningresources/societies-clubs-organizations/ native-plant-societies
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Vegans and Tattoos
by Matt Preston
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
As parings go, vegan tattoos aren’t exactly brown rice with seasoned salt, but few things in life go that well together. However, they’re not mutually exclusive either. So when talking about vegan tattoos in general and or in polite company, there’s a variety of reactions that range on the incredulous to the outright confused. This begins with the various stereotypes vegans sustain, enough to potentially circumvent the planet. Some are true, some are not so true; others can be annoying while some are spot on. It mostly depends on how a vegan takes it, and chances are their thin skin won’t allow them to laugh at it at all. Now see, that’s a stereotype right there; just because one wouldn’t consume animal products doesn’t mean their skin loses elasticity. As a vegetarian, I’ve dealt with stereotypes for a while, and not just because of my eating habits either. Just the same, my oldest brother has had to deal with stereotypes based on having two full sleeves and his upper chest tattooed as well. At the same time, he prides himself on being a meat eater and often talks about getting something called the “meat sweats” at family barbecues. It can be imagined that my vegan tattoo would have a lot in common with a lead balloon, as it’s unveiled for the first time at the barbecue. As a fan of 90s sitcoms, I would more than likely use a quote from the star of Blossom on my arm, in fine print because it’s wordy. To wit: “It takes 12 pounds of grain and 2,500 gallons of water to create a single pound of beef.” This could be punctuated with the cruelty free logo, with an emphasis on the bunny’s whiskers. My oldest brother would register various reactions no doubt. They would range from him thinking it’s cool that he’s not the only tattooed member of our sibling group any longer, but not excited to be looking at what he sees as vegan propaganda. Assurances would no doubt be given that it’s not that at all; just a way to support a positive cause with a nod to a sitcom with quirky hats. However, it’s the conversation that that this would spur on that would make all this awkwardness worth it. First, there are the various sizes and designs as well as many variations on the positive themes within the vegan lifestyle. The most basic designs can include quotes, depictions of animals or logos associated with animal rights welfare and activism. They can be colored or plain, elaborate or simple, or an original design. This could especially be a great opportunity to combine art and creativity in getting some good energy out into the world.
Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels
There will more than likely be a lot of greens, which is perfect as green is the color of life. And it may also be on a part of their body that said tattoo will be easily visible, so that if they catch someone looking, they can strike up a nice conversation about it. However, it’s important to understand the context of such a conversation. For example, the vegan symbol on someone’s right forearm being seen while "snap clapping" at a slam poetry contest would probably be received with nods of approval. More than likely the opposite would be the case at the annual meeting of Big Ag conglomerates. So it’s always useful to be able to read the room no matter the context or people involved. Another component of being a vegan and getting a tattoo, is knowing that animal by-products are used at many points in the process. This can be in the ink itself, the products used in the cleaning, stenciling, or somewhere else along the line. There are ways around this, and it’s easier now more than ever to go for the products and artists that match their convictions. There are even the aftercare and maintenance products that are needed for tattoos that could also contain animal components, so again it’s up to the user to know this ahead of time. In the end, it really is a matter of personal choice and the energy which is engaged in displaying this. Tattoos can be a creative, unique and positive way to share an important side to someone’s passion, and vegans often find this to be just the case. As it is though, I’m not quite ready to land on a tattoo yet, vegan or otherwise; and/or the subsequent decades of conversations afterwards.
Matt Preston is a creative and professional writer from Gloucester Township in South Jersey. Writing is one of his passions, body, mind and soul wellness one of his goals, and belief in destiny his continual motivation. His website and podcast can be found @TheApatheticVegan.com.
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