Basic Steps to Repairing Our Damaged Environment

Do you want to help repair our damaged environment? Help clean the air, the water and the soil? Help build a community where the wild things, birds, bees, butterflies and bats are free to roam? This is easier than you may think. Like many good things it all begins at home, right in your own yard.

The first step is to stop using chemicals to maintain your lawn and garden. The second step is to reduce the amount of space that your lawn takes up.

You may need some lawn out back for the kids and dog to roam or for family BBQs and that is fine. Decide how much lawn you need based upon present and future activities and compare that to how much lawn you have. If your lawn is bigger than you need to enjoy outdoor living then reduce it.

Instead of grass, grow a combination of flowers, herbs and veggies. Make sure to include plants that are native to your region and a shrub or two if you have the room. The local fauna will appreciate this.

For example, if you want to attract butterflies, do a little homework and find out what butterflies are native to your region, what they like to eat, where they like to lay their eggs and what their other needs are, then pick plants that match those needs. Butterfly families will move in. A trip to the local library can help with this project.

A small water feature can attract frogs and toads. A pond with a circulating pump to keep the water flowing, some rocks and native water plants should do the trick.

It does not have to be large to make a difference to you and all around you. Do what you can and create a natural space for all to enjoy and help clean the air, water and soil that we all need.