Why Consider Rewilding For Life? The biggest benefit, also known as a reward for including native plants into an established garden, is that you increase biodiversity. Pictured below is the rewilding of Carpenter Farm Park by Go Native Long Island, a huge effort underway to restore its natural state.
Unlike the picture above, a formal garden looks tame, elegant, and totally foreign. Exotic plants, Asian and European species, don't support habitat. They can also become invasive and outproduce native plants that belong in an area naturally. By rewilding our property, or in replanting sections of that formal garden with native plants, we take steps to help heal our present and preserve our future.
Unfortunately some towns, villages, think if you don't present a lush green sterile front lawn, the property is being neglected and you will receive a summons. They fail to recognize someone’s passion for creating an oasis for birds and pollinators.
Unfortunately some towns, villages, think if you don't present a lush green sterile front lawn, the property is being neglected and you will receive a summons. They fail to recognize someone’s passion for creating an oasis for birds and pollinators.
Unfortunately some towns, villages, think if you don't present a lush green sterile front lawn. the property is being neglected and you will receive a summons. |  |
It's a double edged sword in which, if we decide to become responsible parents to the property that we live on and to repurpose lawns to habitats, we bear the brunt of our neighbors reactions.
Not everyone is onboard with living next to an ecologically friendly piece of land. They are horrified that your property doesn’t consist of 80% green lawn and their property values will go down because of it. The people that do choose to rewild their property should certainly try and do it attractively, which can be done. And, we also should bear the responsibility of educating our neighbors and governments to the concrete evidence of the benefit of rewilding.
Maryland has a new bill on the books, bill 322, that was passed in 2021. The purpose of the bill was to introduce the use of low impact landscaping. Planting for the environment, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, low water usage, low maintenance costs, all to create habitat for wildlife!
We need bill 322 in every state.
Certain native plants are more beneficial than others, the top three herbaceous plants are: Aster, Milkweed and Goldenrod. The top wood producers are: native Oak, Cherry, Elm etc.
We should all try to blend into our landscapes and gardens a ratio of at least 70% native to 30% nonnative species. We can create an environment that will help flourish what should flourish!
References & Resources
- They Fought the Lawn. And the Lawn's Done. - NY Times Article
- Bill 322 - Real Property – Restrictions on Use – Low–Impact Landscaping
- National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder - To find a list of plants.
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