Groxie

I’ve been thinking a great deal about biodiversity lately. It’s not a topic that comes to mind often, even in my daily struggle to be a better environmental steward. With all of the discussion about global warming, it’s easy to understand the impact of giving up driving, use recycled products, or eating a local diet. But when I turned my attention to biodiversity, it was harder to plot out a course for action. I can write plenty of letters, and maybe one day I can afford to donate money to the groups working to preserve biodiversity, but there isn’t a nice list of “100 Ways to Create Biodivserity in Your Neighborhood.”

I got started on this train of thought because I’ve been working outside lately, in my own yard and on properties owned by The Nature Conservancy. The vast majority of the work has been removing invasive species; English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry have been my toughest foes. It isn’t glamorous work, but it’s surprisingly fulfilling. The landscape is immediately transformed; after ripping out huge tracts of these invasives, it’s amazing to finally see the clear ground, see the potential.

We worked last weekend on a Portland preserve called Camassia. Because the preserve is full of native species, those species rush to fill in areas where the invasive plants have been removed. We took a small tour with TNC’s Portland preserves manager, and he pointed out the places where this has been happening. Instead of huge tracts of blackberry, the ground is covered with dozens of different plant species. As these native plant populations rebound, wildlife diversity increases as well. John and I volunteered to be stewards at Camassia. We were assigned a small plot within the preserve, and it’s our job to take care of it, mostly by removing invasives. I’ll take some photos throughout the next year to document the changes.

In the meantime, in our own yard we battle blackberry and ivy all over the place. There are always new ones cropping up, but for the most part it is under control. But here in the middle of the neighborhood, the native plants aren’t ready to rush in. We’re surrounded by grass lawns, backyards still full of blackberry, and plenty of cement. We’d love to head to one of the many local nurseries and pick up some plants, but for now all we can afford to do is keep fighting the invasives. Once we have a little disposable income we’ll hit up the native plants sales and the nurseries, and we’ll also try to get some plants started from seed and cuttings.

Removing invasives is an important first step in the effort to preserve some of the many species that we are losing. Land conservation is at the center of this effort, and even tiny plots of land can make a difference. Small backyard habitats can create a space for biodiversity even in urban areas. You don’t have to be a plant expert to lend a hand; when I moved here I had no knowledge whatsoever of the species in the area. There are lots of great free resources you can use to get started if you want to learn more about your local native and invasive species. Local nurseries, your state extension service, and your local master gardener’s program are probably full of folks with oodles of plant knowledge.

Also, I have found volunteering to be one the best ways to learn. Last weekend we worked with TNC staff and about 10 other volunteers; some were learning just like us, and others were botanists, ecologists, bird enthusiasts, or avid gardeners. I spent the whole day asking every question that popped into my head, and I learned more that day than in any class lecture I ever attended! For a global perspective, I encourage you to check out Mongabay’s interview with Dr. Raven of the Missouri Botanical Garden. The article delves into the what, why, and how of biodiversity, and the interview is a good call to action.