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Cultivating Wildlife Conservation with Native Plants

Desiree Narango, David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellow, Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst
Restoring habitat in urban and suburban spaces is crucial to stemming declines in biodiversity. To be successful, we need evidence-based guidelines to inform our landscaping decisions. Desiree Narango will describe her research showing that native plants are essential to sustaining biodiversity, and discuss findings that illuminate the proportion of natives needed, and best species to use, if we are to create thriving wildlife habitat at home.

Evenings with Experts

When:

May 26 | 7:00 - 8:30pm

Where:Online (By Zoom Meeting)

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- An Ecosystem Approach
  
  Native Plants are the Foundation
  Improving the biodiversity of our landscapes— specifically stemming the significant declines in insects, birds, and millions of species worldwide— requires re-establishing native plant landscapes. It also requires a commitment to ecological landscaping. But what is that? To us, it means gardening by working with ecological processes— leaving leaf litter and decaying plant stems as essential habitat for insects, understanding inherent soil and climate conditions, choosing the most appropriate native species for our site. There is so much to consider! Learn more about our philosophy here.
  
  An Ecosystem Approach
- Native Plant Highlight
  
  /sites/default/files/images/Witch_Hazel_close-up_MG.jpg
  
  The Joy of American Witch Hazel
  American witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a common component of the understory in forests throughout the eastern U. S. with a very uncommon characteristic— it blooms late in the fall (typically October or November in New England), just as most other plants are going dormant. It typically stays in bloom for a month or more, not cowed by freezing temperatures or an early winter snowfall. This brings up the very intriguing question: who pollinates American witch hazel?
  Read more
- The Social Life of Forests
  Trees appear to communicate and cooperate through subterranean networks of fungi. What are they sharing with one another?
  An article by Ferris Jabr. The New York Times.
  
  The New York Times has done a great job in recent years covering the biodiversity crisis, climate change, and bringing us new perspectives in ecology. We recommend this new piece by Ferris Jabr published on December 6, 2020. It summarizes and explores some of the current research and thinking about the mystery of plant communication—and especially trees—through the soil ecosystem and its extensive networks of mycorrhizal fungi. We are very grateful to The Times for bringing this fascinating subject to the fore, to their very large and international readership.
  Read the Article
- New And Noteworthy
  
  Wasps
  
  Heather Holm
  
  Pollination Press, 2021
  
  Just Released and Already a Hit!
  
  In her latest guide, well-known native bee expert Heather Holm again demonstrates her profound knowledge of insects and her skill as a teacher. This time, the spotlight is on wasps, a diverse group of insects whose vital ecological roles as predators and pollinators are at odds with their common reputation (among humans!) as pests. This new book is destined to become the go-to resource for identifying wasps, and for guiding associated efforts to create habitat for beneficial species.
  
  Explore More at Best Books

Grow Native Massachusetts

Homepage

Upcoming Events

Cultivating Wildlife Conservation with Native Plants

Homepage

Native Plants are the Foundation

The Joy of American Witch Hazel

The Social Life of Forests

Trees appear to communicate and cooperate through subterranean networks of fungi. What are they sharing with one another?

**An article by Ferris Jabr. The New York Times.**

Wasps

Heather Holm

Pollination Press, 2021

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