Six easy ways to help birds, bees and butterflies
North Jersey Green
It’s hard to drive anywhere in New Jersey without seeing bulldozers eating up “unused” land. This is bad news for traffic—and terrible news for birds and the insects they depend on for food.
Three million birds have been lost since the 1970s. Bumblebee numbers have declined by 90 percent. Habitat loss is a key factor.
If you’re wondering what you can do to help, it’s time to meet Dr. Douglas Tallamy, wildlife ecologist, entomologist, author of the bestselling book "Nature’s Best Hope."
Last fall, Tallamy gave a talk, sponsored by the Madison Environmental Commission, that explained how each of us can help birds and pollinators right in our own yards. Together, we can create a biodiverse patchwork that Tallamy calls a “Homegrown National Park.”
If you have an hour, watch his talk on YouTube (youtu.be/anjQNC2jppg)—we can’t recommend it enough. Meanwhile, here are six ways to take action in your yard.
Bothered by These Suckers? Please Don’t Spray
Star-Ledger Guest Columnist
I’ve read the statistics. I know bumblebee populations have declined by 90% and up to a third of firefly species may risk extinction.
That’s why I grow milkweed and pollinator plants and leave leaf litter for firefly larva. But am I making a difference? Do I see more monarchs? Mason bees? Moths?
The only insect I can vouch for is the mosquito. Populations appear to be flourishing, judging by yard signs, flyers and billboards promoting mosquito spray services.
From my side of the fence, the problem is this: If someone sprays a fine mist of pesticides at the shady, flower-free areas where mosquitoes rest, it won’t just kill mosquitoes.
“It can impact bees, butterflies, moths, caterpillars and insects that birds depend on as a food,” says David Mizejewski, a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation.