Garden Q&A: How can I support the local ecosystem?

Q: News about species decline is depressing, and I am noticing fewer insects than I remember from my childhood. How can gardeners ensure their ecosystem impacts are helpful and not harmful?

Many actions can benefit the environment and reduce the impacts of development and habitat loss. I recommend diversifying the landscape, reducing or eliminating pesticide use, and protecting the watershed.

Where space, budget, and your energy level allow, devote at least part of a home landscape to growing native plants.Start small, and remove invasive species and create or amend plantings by incorporating natives.

The “right plant, right place” approach goes a long way. If possible, source those species locally – that is, find suppliers that propagated the plant from seed that originated within you