I’m hoping I don’t need to introduce Dr. Doug Tallamy to you. The renowned entomologist, ecologist and speaker is the go-to guy on the importance of native plants in sustaining wildlife. And, I’m hoping I don’t need to explain the fact that 75% of our crops rely on pollinators. Three-quarters of our food! That is a worldwide statistic.
The majority of these crucial pollinators are creatures we actually try to extinguish: bees, wasps, beetles, flies, ants, bats and butterflies … well, maybe not butterflies but definitely there are products on the market that promise to get rid of all the others.
Over the past three decades, our insect populations have decreased. And this will lead to dire consequences to life as we know it.
But all is not lost. Dr. Doug Tallamy has big ideas and easy ways for us all to join together and make a difference.
The author of “The Living Landscape,” “The Nature of Oaks,” “Bringing Nature Home,” and “Nature’s Best Hope,” he recently released “How Can I Help?” In this book about saving nature with your very own yard, he addresses topics that include everything from ecology, evolution, biodiversity and conservation to restoration, native plants, invasive species, pest control, and supporting wildlife at home. The professor and chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, this man is dead set on teaching us all how we can save our planet, our fragile island home.
Yes, he is an acclaimed scientist and is familiar with precise scientific terms that are for the most part unpronouncable. Does he throw these terms around? Nope.
I’ve never met this man, a true rock star in my opinion, but I’ve watched a few of his interviews and presentations online. He is the kind of guy you’d like to have a beer with and chat longer with.
According to Amazon, “Douglas W. Tallamy’s first book, “Bringing Nature Home,” awakened thousands of readers to an urgent situation: wildlife populations are in decline because the native plants they depend on are fast disappearing. His solution? Plant more natives.”
And he gently outlines and simplifies a way for all of us to turn our yards into “conservation corridors” that provide wildlife habitats. In fact, you don’t even have to have a yard to make a difference. Just swap out that geranium that never looks that good anyway with a gorgeous native plant that will provide sustenance for wildlife.
Because this approach relies on something so simple, it is immune from the whims of government policy. Even more important, it’s practical, effective, and easy; you will walk away with specific suggestions you can incorporate into your own yard.
Remember I mentioned I’d never met this hero of a man? Well, he’s coming to Chattanooga, thanks to the Tennessee valley Chapter of the Wild Ones! Dr. Tallamy will speak on Friday, October 3, at UTC’s Wolford Family Athletic Center at 720 E. 4th Street. He will begin at 7 p.m. and although this event is free and open to the public, you need to register. Go to https://tnvalley.wildones.org/distinguished-lecture-series-doug-tallamy/ for more information.
by Ferris Robinson
The majority of these crucial pollinators are creatures we actually try to extinguish: bees, wasps, beetles, flies, ants, bats and butterflies … well, maybe not butterflies but definitely there are products on the market that promise to get rid of all the others.
Over the past three decades, our insect populations have decreased. And this will lead to dire consequences to life as we know it.
But all is not lost. Dr. Doug Tallamy has big ideas and easy ways for us all to join together and make a difference.
The author of “The Living Landscape,” “The Nature of Oaks,” “Bringing Nature Home,” and “Nature’s Best Hope,” he recently released “How Can I Help?” In this book about saving nature with your very own yard, he addresses topics that include everything from ecology, evolution, biodiversity and conservation to restoration, native plants, invasive species, pest control, and supporting wildlife at home. The professor and chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, this man is dead set on teaching us all how we can save our planet, our fragile island home.
Yes, he is an acclaimed scientist and is familiar with precise scientific terms that are for the most part unpronouncable. Does he throw these terms around? Nope.
I’ve never met this man, a true rock star in my opinion, but I’ve watched a few of his interviews and presentations online. He is the kind of guy you’d like to have a beer with and chat longer with.
According to Amazon, “Douglas W. Tallamy’s first book, “Bringing Nature Home,” awakened thousands of readers to an urgent situation: wildlife populations are in decline because the native plants they depend on are fast disappearing. His solution? Plant more natives.”
And he gently outlines and simplifies a way for all of us to turn our yards into “conservation corridors” that provide wildlife habitats. In fact, you don’t even have to have a yard to make a difference. Just swap out that geranium that never looks that good anyway with a gorgeous native plant that will provide sustenance for wildlife.
Because this approach relies on something so simple, it is immune from the whims of government policy. Even more important, it’s practical, effective, and easy; you will walk away with specific suggestions you can incorporate into your own yard.
Remember I mentioned I’d never met this hero of a man? Well, he’s coming to Chattanooga, thanks to the Tennessee valley Chapter of the Wild Ones! Dr. Tallamy will speak on Friday, October 3, at UTC’s Wolford Family Athletic Center at 720 E. 4th Street. He will begin at 7 p.m. and although this event is free and open to the public, you need to register. Go to https://tnvalley.wildones.org/distinguished-lecture-series-doug-tallamy/ for more information.
by Ferris Robinson
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