Wild One chapter starts 'Start in Your Yard' initiative

Wild Ones of Northern Kane County recently announced a new initiative, “Start in Your Yard.”

Based on the concept in Doug Tallamy's book, “Nature's Best Hope, Start in Your Yard,” embraces the concept that it is up to each one of us to help to restore ecological function to our degraded landscapes.

Rather than assume that nature is “out there” somewhere, “Start in Your Yard” premises that each of us can do our part to develop and sustain natural habitat in our own back yard.

Why is this necessary now? In the past 50 years, native habitats have been degraded by invasive non-native plants. The life of the soil in our yards has deteriorated from the overuse of herbicides and pesticides as well as unnecessary tillage.

Although the grass and non-native plants may look green and healthy, they do not provide habitat for our native animals.

The native bird population has decreased by 30% since 1970. This has happened not only by loss of native habitat, but also because the habitat in our yards does not often provide enough food or shelter for them.

Though birds will eat from your bird feeders, in the spring over 90% of the native birds need insects and caterpillars to feed their babies.

Insects are specialists — they seldom live on non-native plants. Without native plants, there are fewer insects for the birds to eat so they cannot feed their babies.

The “Start in Your Yard” program does not envision each homeowner turning their yard into a prairie. What it does is to give homeowners the ideas, tools and inspiration to turn a part of their yard into a habitat where native insects and birds can grow and thrive.

To that end, Wild Ones is offering a series of online book discussions based on “Nature's Best Hope.” You do not even need to read the book in order to join and discuss the concepts presented by Dr. Tallamy.

They also are offering a series of free one-hour presentations about just how to establish a home-grown national park in your own back yard.

For information, go to www.StartinYourYard.com or send an email to StartinYourYard@gmail.com.

Wild Ones is a national organization that is committed to promoting the use of native plants, natural landscaping, and environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Its mission is to educate people across the country about the importance of native plants and natural practices to reduce the effects of climate change and support pollinators, beneficial insects, and the environment.

It is a nonprofit environmental education and advocacy organization. Go to www.WildOnes.org or www.northernkanecounty.wildones.org.

Follow www.facebook.com/NKWildOnes.