Rewilding Lawns to Create Wildlife Havens
An American couple's journey to transform their lawn into a native ecosystem, and how others are following suit to support biodiversity
The traditional suburban lawn is undergoing a transformation, as more people opt to replace their turf with native plants to create wildlife havens. James Reed McGuire and Crystal Fritz, a couple from Illinois, are among those who have made this switch, and their efforts have paid off. Their garden, once a monoculture of turf, is now a thriving native ecosystem that provides food and habitat for a variety of wild critters.
The Journey to Rewilding
McGuire and Fritz's journey to rewild their lawn was not without its challenges. They had no horticultural training and made mistakes along the way, such as buying mixed wildflower seed packets and digging up the turf by hand. However, they learned from their mistakes and slowly figured out how to identify native plants for their region and experiment with the best ways to grow them from seed. They designed layouts for their garden that would allow them to enjoy blooms for as much of the growing season as possible, and every year, they added a few more native plants.
The Benefits of Native Ecosystems
The benefits of native ecosystems are numerous. They provide food and habitat for a variety of wild critters, such as birds, butterflies, bees, rabbits, bats, and foxes. They also help to support biodiversity, which is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems. According to Doug Tallamy, an entomologist and advocate for conservation landscaping, lawns are environmentally problematic because they consist of European grass species with short roots that do little to draw carbon and water deep into the soil. Native plants, on the other hand, have deep roots that help to absorb water and reduce runoff.
Creating a Balance between Lawns and Native Plants
Tallamy suggests that it does not have to be an either-or situation between lawns and native plants. Instead, he advocates for shifting the balance so that native plants become the norm and lawns are created specifically to serve a purpose. For example, if a family wants to have a lawn for their children to play on, they can create a small lawn and plant native species around it. This approach can help to create and connect habitats that allow wild species to survive.
The movement to rewild lawns is gaining momentum, with some states offering rebates to homeowners for replacing their lawns with native plants. Real estate agents are also finding that native gardens can be a selling point, as they provide a unique and attractive feature for potential buyers. As more people make the switch to native ecosystems, they are not only supporting biodiversity but also creating beautiful and functional outdoor spaces that bring them peace and tranquility.
