In a new ‘Growing Greener’ episode, we talked about Less Lawn, More Life and how even small changes in our yards can create space for pollinators, birds, and biodiversity. In a new podcast episode, we talked about Less Lawn, More Life and how small steps can turn ordinary lawns into thriving habitat. We also talked about how the weekly challenges give people easy, practical steps to bring more pollinators, birds, and biodiversity into their own yards.

Lawns may be America’s most widespread crop, but they give little back to the ecosystems we depend on. As Ken Ilgunas notes in his New York Times piece, there’s another path—one where we let clover bloom, wildflowers spread, and yards come alive with birds and pollinators. Sometimes, doing less is exactly what both nature and people need.

Rutgers researchers recently discovered spotted lanternfly DNA in nearly 30% of bat guano samples across New Jersey. That means our native bats are already helping to control this destructive invasive species—no pesticides or traps required. It’s a powerful reminder that when we support healthy ecosystems, nature often finds its own way to restore balance.

New research from ecologist Desiree Narango at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies reveals just how much planting local matters. By studying the Promethea moth, whose caterpillars feed on Prunus species like plums and cherries, Narango found that black cherry (Prunus serotina), a tree both native and local to the Northeast, supported the fastest growth, greatest caterpillar biomass, and highest survival. The takeaway is clear: when we choose locally native trees, we strengthen the foundation of our ecosystems and give wildlife the best chance to thrive.

USA Today recently highlighted how traditional lawns make flooding worse and leave little room for wildlife, while rewilding offers a way forward. By swapping turf for native plants, homeowners can slow down stormwater, create habitat for pollinators and birds, and turn their yards into living landscapes that work better for both people and nature.

Even the smallest scraps of land can spark ecological transformation. Across urban and suburban neighborhoods, classroom-sized MicroForests are proving that no space is too small to restore. Once overlooked as “too small to matter,” these patches now cool streets, absorb stormwater, and provide habitat for pollinators and birds—bringing vibrant nature back into the very places where people live and work.

NPR recently featured ecologist Doug Tallamy, co-founder of Homegrown National Park® and a member of Plan It Wild’s Science Advisory Board, in a piece about turning yards into “little national parks.” The article highlighted how homeowners across the country are replacing turf with native plants and creating pockets of habitat that, together, support pollinators, birds, and biodiversity on a larger scale.

We’re proud to share that Plan It Wild’s Chief Naturalist, Murray Fisher, has received the 2025 Zone Conservation Commendation from The Garden Club of America. This award honors his outstanding leadership in conservation, education, and biodiversity advocacy.

If you had to choose just three plants to add to your garden to provide maximum ecosystem benefit, I would recommend starting with these three natives…

While there are over 450 different pollinator species in New York, I thought it would be fun to get to know just a few of our pollinator friends and highlight some interesting characteristics.