It’s a wonder to see how pleasantly symbiotic the whole relationship is. The milkweed relinquishes its leaves while maintaining life sustaining energy in its deep taproot and regrows. The caterpillar receives its nourishment, including the bitter toxin from the plant that provides a layer of protection from predators, even as an adult. Pollinators will be by eventually to pollinate the flowers which will create pods of wind-dispersed seeds. Human interactions don’t ever seem this smoothly cooperative.
I, am more of a tortoise. Slow and steady, a plain Jane of sorts, not trying to call attention to myself but certainly moving with purpose. And it is this strategy I relied on to change my one quarter acre property in suburbia to a wildlife oasis. I could have called in reinforcements, hired a landscaper, gotten it all done in one season and that too is an effective strategy for change. But I went section by section and years later it’s all coming together.
One hundred and seventy five butterfly species reside in NC and that summer, in my devil’s strip alone, I documented on camera 18 different butterfly species; who knows how many I’ve missed over the years. Since transforming my yard from an HOA approved, socially acceptable landscape to a more wild space I’ve gardened by one motto: If no one is eating your plants, then your garden is not part of the ecosystem.
As the New Year often inspires us to consider what we can do differently this year than last, I wonder if you have it in you to reconsider your outdoor space. As you will see from my shared experience, this has been a process, one that started over a decade ago. I have worked at my own pace. I have had months where my yard was the last thing on my to-do list. I can assure you that this experience did NOT take over my life and it shouldn’t take over yours. But in so many regards, it has enriched my life and has taught me the incredible resilience of nature, which brings me hope.
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