On June 15th , Watershed Stewards, Master Gardeners, Naturalists and many others attended the Environmental Summit: Rejuvenating Our Ecosystems in Gambrills, MD. The event featured distinguished scientists: Dr. Rattan Lal professor of Soil Science from Ohio State University who presented, “Addressing the Problem of Land Degradation”, and Dr. Doug Tallamy, noted entomologist and Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Delaware who presented “Starting Conservation in Your Own Yard”. Over 50 people attended in person and over 100 more online. Dr. Lal posed the question, “The United States has both a Clean Air Act (1963) and a Clean Water Act (1972), isn’t it time we consider a Soil Health Act?” He presented many reasons why protecting our soil is vital to our health and the health of the planet. Dr. Tallamy used plain language and compelling photos to explain and illustrate the many reasons and ways for each of us to support biodiversity at home by planting native plants. The message was clear “We have a biodiversity crisis that has a grassroots solution. Each of us can support biodiversity by reducing our lawns, planting natives, and removing invasives.”
This is a message shared by Watershed Stewards as we engage with communities to create healthier, sustainable landscapes across our state.
Alison Milligan (Class 7) exhibited a Native Plant display and met with many people eager to learn more about the benefits of native plants and how they can use them in their own landscapes. Doug Tallamy visited all the displays and was pleased to see WSA and other organizations placing an emphasis on native plants, moths and keystone plants. Encouraging people to visit WSA’s site and to download and read the Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping guide provides them a way to connect and continue learning. Attending events like this provides learning opportunities, reinvigorates us and motivates us to do more.
”Moths and their caterpillars transfer more energy from plants to other animals than any other herbivores. A landscape without moths is a landscape without birds or many other animals.
~Dr. Doug Tallamy
Moths play an outsized role in ecological systems.”
~Jim McCormac
Botanist & author
Gardening for Moths