Together, We Can Restore Pollinators’ Populations<\/h2>\n
The good news is that it’s within our power to help turn things around with the plants we choose to grow<\/em><\/strong> in our own backyard… or front yard or apartment balcony. And his research tells us that it’s working.<\/p>\n Cedar Wax Wing eating service berries.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cFor 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\u2019s wildlife. It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to make a difference. In this case, the \u2018difference\u2019 will be to the future of biodiversity, to the native plants and animals of North America and the ecosystems that sustain them. It’s so simple!<\/em> Native plants attract and sustain native wildlife<\/strong>, including the native insects that many of our wild birds eat to survive. As wild bird hosts who conscientiously stock feeders and keep water accessible, this presents another great opportunity to lure new visitors to our yards!<\/p>\n Professor Tallamy<\/strong>‘s entertaining and educational book, and the book’s companion website, BringingNatureHome.net<\/a>, are highly recommended for further reading. Not only about the science behind his studies, or the limitless benefits and positive repercussions from making simple changes in your landscape, but also for inspiration and a plan of action.<\/p>\n Replace a non-native or invasive plant in your yard with a native! For help with specific plants for our area, we’ve listed several links below to help you get started \u2014 just a few of the many, many local resources available.<\/strong><\/p>\n For example, planting even ONE stand of the right milkweed can contribute to Monarch Butterfly conservation. (See our blog post “Grow Native Milkweed for Monarch Butterflies”<\/a>.)<\/p>\n We are proud that our Backyard Naturalist community celebrates Earth Day every<\/em> day<\/strong> with steadfast, year round support for our wild birds. Collectively, our efforts to create these micro-sanctuaries are making a difference!<\/p>\n Together, we are helping repopulate plants and add diversity to our environment. This makes our ecosystem more resilient and strengthens populations of pollinators in decline.<\/p>\n Almost 30 years ago, a vision of our own little backyard wildlife habitat connected with those of our friends, neighbors, and customers\u2014and millions of backyards across the country\u2014inspired us to open The Backyard Naturalist store. Please share this with your friends and neighbors and take time to enjoy and celebrate your ‘patch of earth’ on Earth Day\u2014and EVERY Day.<\/p>\n We can’t say it any better than the folks at Botanical Interests<\/strong>. Follow their ‘Four “P”s of Pollinator-Friendly Gardening’:<\/p>\n Audubon’s Native Plant Database<\/a><\/strong> is a mighty resource! Enter your zip code and you’ll get a list of best native plants for supporting the wild birds your area, as recommended by local Audubon experts. You can sort results by type of plant and also by type of bird you’d like to attract.<\/p>\n A simple stand of native milkweed<\/strong> can make every backyard, school, community center, city park and place of worship a haven for breeding or migrating Monarchs, and together<\/strong> we can bring about the greatest citizen conservation victory of our generation<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n Dan Ashe, Director Maryland<\/strong><\/p>\n University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center<\/a><\/p>\n Recommended Native Plants of Maryland<\/a><\/p>\n Maryland Native Plant Society <\/a><\/p>\n Virginia<\/strong><\/p>\n Virginia’s Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Natural Heritage (DCR)<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Birds](\"http:\/\/thebackyardnaturalist.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/CedarWaxWing-ServiceBerry-152x300.png\")
\n\u2014 Douglas Tallamy<\/strong>, Bringing Nature Home<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nEvery Day is Earth Day at The Backyard Naturalist!<\/h2>\n
Where to Start & How You Can Help Native Pollinators<\/h2>\n
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Regional Native Plant Information and Sources<\/h2>\n
![\"Monarch](\"http:\/\/thebackyardnaturalist.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/Swamp_milkweed_monarch-150x150.png\")
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\nThe US Fish & Wildlife Service<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n