Conservancy Book Review 2
Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard
by Doug Tallamy
A book review by Cindy Perry
Doug Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope is an easy to read book filled with practical advice, consistent with the Kiawah Conservancy’s mission to improve ecological health of Kiawah and its environs. Tallamy shares some historical information about how the United States transformed from its rich, ecologically healthy natural state into one where native habitat was unearthed to make way for expansive, well-manicured green lawns, urban deserts that fail to support native wildlife and balanced ecosystems. He claims that it is challenging for many individuals to have empathy for lost native species because we have never seen them in our communities. Is that what will happen if we lose our bobcat population? Will they not be missed by our grandchildren?
He uses personal stories about how he and his wife returned the landscape on their home to a more native, natural state, and shares photos of the diverse native species and wildlife, especially caterpillars and birds, that ultimately returned to this property. It isn’t just what we plant but the way we arrange our trees and local native plants can make our landscape healthier and more efficient for supporting native wildlife. Creating conservation corridors, a Homegrown National Park, like those encouraged by the Naturally Kiawah Habitat Program, in our yards is how we can improve the biodiversity of our ecosystem. Even small city areas can participate in this effort.
