ad a
others
creatures (of
ched rotting
r places to
ato bugs,
ss others
at were their
ll day or all
t ate them?
Over time,
ttachment
suscitating
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d it, cleaned
it some mock
ead, I almost
. Then its
me to life,
y, to my
it did a fly-by
it didn’t. Still,
diverse but
ns. Society
nted, not
on the front
ry.
Truth is, these amazing little creatures help
us more than we know. They are far below us
in the food chain, but their importance can’t
be overstated. They are crucial components of
any ecosystem, aerating the soil, controlling
harmful pests, and, in the case of beetles and
worms, recycling nutrients back into the soil.
Another major role is pollination, perhaps
the most important role as far as humans
are concerned. With this in mind, we asked
regular contributor Monica Mansfield to
identify indigenous plants we can feature in
our gardens to help our little friends. Turns
out, if we all put in a little effort, it would be
a big help.
“Our pollinators are in trouble and we, as
gardeners, have an opportunity to save them.
Researchers say if everyone planted just one
pot of nectar-rich flowers, it would restore
healthy pollinator communities,” writes
Mansfield in her story “The Best Plants for
Pollinators” on page 24.
For me, Mansfield’s story takes me back to
my childhood chasing insects while learning
that, very often, it’s the little things that make
the biggest difference.