10 years ago, we had a lot of grass around our home that needed lots of water, fertilizers and weedkillers to look good. When I mowed, I disturbed all kinds of more than human beings who were trying to live their lives. Newly sprouting aspen shoots were regularly mowed down. When I pruned, raked, weeded and “beautified” the yard, I unknowingly disturbed habitats, disrupted insects, removed birds’ favorite dead branch perches, destroyed shelters and nests in the fallen leaves…… all for the sake of an “aesthetically pleasing standard” of the American suburban neighborhood.
So, a few years ago, we stopped. We decided to let Nature manage herself and see what would grow and thrive and what would not. We support all of Nature’s beings regardless of whether humans have assessed them as desirable or undesirable, beauties or weeds, assets or pests.
Our yard is now a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY
The sense of wonder and connection we feel amidst the activity and music of the abundant, diverse wildlife is life giving.
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