There IS Something You Can Do

I’m devastated by the results of this week’s U.S. elections. Both for the policies they portend and for what they say about the values and priorities of so many of our fellow Americans. Among my many, many concerns is the setback this represents to critical efforts to address climate change and restore biodiversity.

Remember, though, there is something we can all be doing to help save the planet. And we don’t need the White House, Congress or Supreme Court to make it happen. Eighty-three percent of land in the U.S. is in private hands. We, not the government, own and control it. So if you’re lucky enough to have a yard, or influence over school, apartment, church or business properties, you’re in a position to create healthy, biodiverse habitats that provide a host of ecosystem services and benefit everyone. No need to wait for the politicians and regulators. You’re in charge! You can start today — and derive the mental health benefits of communing with nature as a bonus.

Longtime Bees’ Knees readers know the drill by heart, but in the spirit of providing constructive guidance in these fraught times, I’ll repeat a few key points here with links into the archives:

• reduce your lawn

• remove invasive plants

• plant native species

• leave your leaves on the ground in the fall

• leave dormant stalks and seedheads in place over the winter

• avoid pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers

• turn down your outdoor lights

There’s so much work ahead to heal our world. Some of it will be hard and painful. Tending our garden habitats is one way to do good while feeling good, though. Please try it.

"Fall Leaves" by mclcbooks is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. I’m reminding myself that things that seem like endings are often also beginnings.

If you live in the DC vicinity and could use assistance with sustainable landscaping, visit Bees’ Knees Design. I’d be happy to help you.