Sixty percent of the world’s wildlife populations have been lost in just over the last forty years. SIXTY percent! That is the estimate from a Living Planet Report published by the World Wildlife Fund. We have also personally taken note of the loss of local wildlife. Where are the boundless flocks of migrating birds that filled the autumn skies of our youth, the omnipresent lightning bugs that lit up our backyard summer evenings, the bug-splattered windshields from our driving trips, the butterflies, the bees, the bats…?
If you too are alarmed about the extent of this crisis and wonder what you can do to ensure that your children and grandchildren will be able enjoy the natural world as we did, we encourage you to maintain your yard as a part of the solution. Your yard and other open spaces can capture and store greenhouse gas emissions as well as rainwater, and create wildlife habitats and connections that are critical for sustaining wildlife.
Why and How We Need to Bring Nature Home to Our Own Backyards
Plant with natives
Native plants support biodiversity and require less water and care than most non-native plants. Learn more
Sustainable Landscaping Aids
Composting Tips | Go Chemical Free | Spring and Fall cleanups tips including “Leave the Leaves.”
Green Infrastructure
Keep storm water on your property with a rain garden and rain barrels. Reduce the amount of impervious paving and remove lawn and replace it with native plants. Learn more.
Invasives
Learn to identify and manage invasive species, from non-native plants or insects / animals such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the Spotted Lanternfly, Learn more.
Lawns
Lawns offer little to no ecological value in the landscape. Reducing the amount of lawn on your property and grasscycling promote a healthier yard. Learn more link.
Lawn Equipment
Get rid of gas-powered lawn equipment Learn more link.
Light Pollution
Dark Skies matter to the health of our insect and animal populations, as well as our own. Learn more.
Plant Trees
Plant a tree. They cool the earth while providing shade, absorb thousands of gallons of storm water, absorb CO2, beautify and add value to the landscape. Take care of them. Eliminate Tree volcanoes Learn more.
Certify Your Property
There are numerous programs that offer help in managing for a healthy yard and then offer certification if you meet the requirements. National Wildlife Federation | The River Friendly Program with The Watershed | Monarch Waystation Program | Butterfly Garden and Habitat Program Learn more.
Sustainable Ewing Green Team 