Tallamy, Dr. Douglas W. “How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard”. Timber Press, Portland, OR, 2025
Dr. Tallamy’s latest book, “How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard” is no less powerful and compelling than his previous tomes which include “Bringing Nature Home” and “Nature’s Best Hope”. This multi-chapter book is formatted as 499 questions commonly asked at his lectures with his detailed answers. He covers inquiries on topics such as biodiversity, native/non-native/invasive plants, pest control, home landscapes, keystone species, supporting wildlife, conservation and restoration. His photographs of plants, caterpillars and insects are impressive and accompany the broad range of topics.
The well-organized format of the book allows the reader to flip through the questions and then to peruse the ones of personal relevance or interest. For my part, reading about restoration and wildlife support options in urban centres was of particular interest as an actionable item, given that I am a high-rise dweller in an area dotted with boulevard plantings and patio container gardens.
Dr. Tallamy’s message is loud and clear: we have to live with Nature instead of pushing it to “somewhere else”: only 5% of land in the USA remains as wilderness*, and in Canada this amount accounts for 23% of land area. (* undeveloped and largely free from human interference). Our terrestrial food webs depend on thriving populations of insects, and when these populations are imperilled or extirpated, we lose biodiversity, ecological stability, food security and many other benefits provided by their ecosystem services.
Tallamy’s movement “Homegrown National Park” invites every citizen to participate in large or small ways to coexist with the myriad other creatures who call this planet home. I strongly encourage you to explore this movement and add your yard or patio to the growing list of property areas which support the wellbeing of all Earth dwellers!
Additional references:
https://research.fs.usda.gov/managingland/wilderness
https://www.thelandbetween.ca/2024/06/unveiling-the-silent-crisis-the-decline-of-earths-vital-insects/
https://homegrownnationalpark.org