Little voices matter, too!

 

by Courtenay Willcox

Restoring creation is an ongoing mission for many individuals and organizations, supporting and drawing attention to the planting of native species on our church/business/community campuses and in homeowners’ gardens.

The significance of native species is reflected not only in garden clubs and botanical gardens but also by homeowners who can increase native plants in their gardens while shrinking their lawns. It’s remarkable to see how deeply rooted the lawn image is in American culture. However, we can change this perspective by planting native species on church, business, and corporate campuses. Native plants are vital for maintaining biodiversity, and I’ve expanded the idea of Plant Native/Native Plant to the community by creating a pollinating garden. I contacted neighborhood families with young children and gauged their interest in a community garden, which now sits between properties and faces the sidewalk, allowing anyone passing by to see the efforts of the neighborhood’s youngest residents.

“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.” ~Henry David Thoreau from notes written 1856-1861

Thoreau’s quote was read before planting began, mostly for the benefit of the parents who were present. Then, neighborhood children aged 1-12 started digging into the dirt to plant eighteen native species, including Penstemon digitalis, foxglove beardtongue; Carex stricta, tussock sedge; Aster divaricatus, white wood aster; Allium cernuum, nodding onion; Penstemon hirsutus, hairy beardtongue; and Solidago rugosa, wrinkleleaf goldenrod.

Before planting, the families received a children’s version of Doug Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope: (Young Readers’ Edition) How You Can Save the World in Your Own Yard, which, among other things, explains the importance of planting native plants to attract and feed native insects and how this type of nature conservation can happen right outside your back door. Planting a native plant is such an easy thing to do. We demonstrated that anyone at any age can plant a native plant.

This was a simple project with just a small investment. The payoffs were huge!!! Pre-education happened from Tallamy’s book. Then, purchasing an inexpensive 8’x4’ cedar framed raised bed, toting fill-dirt from Upper Merion’s leaf compost (amazing!), and ordering Bloom Box’s native plant fill-a-flat consisting of 18 beautiful plants that were delivered, was easy. We also planted mountain mint, butterfly weed, and cone flower seeds which are sprouting.

Through texts, we arranged to come together and plant at 5:00 pm on a May afternoon. My granddaughters were in attendance as I stood on the sidewalk and looked hopefully down the street. It was empty. And then, just like in the movie, Field of Dreams (if you build it, they will come), the sidewalks filled with children, trowels in hand, and their parents for the planting festivities.

All the participants have helped water through dry times, and after a deer nibbling, I covered the bed with some netting which has deterred bunny and deer munching. The plants and seeds are flourishing!!!

This was such a gratifying project that produced a beautiful result and raised neighborhood awareness around the importance of native planting. My heart is full. Anyone can use this model to start a native garden in their own neighborhood. Let’s keep the ribbon of green, that will support native pollinators, unfurling throughout our neighborhoods and communities. And remember, Plant Native/Native Plant.

Courtenay Willcox recently began a transitional pastorate at Northampton Presbyterian Church in Bucks County, PA. She currently moderates Presbyterians for Earth Care. Courtenay founded MainLine Interfaith Green Group (M.I.G.G.), now Main Line PA Interfaith Power and Light.