We live in a world that needs a little extra help these days. Now more than ever thoughtful, loving actions are necessary for our survival. Good deeds big and small are acts of resilience, joy, resistance, and a step toward the future that we know is possible- one that we haven’t lost hope in. These deeds show us that we are still here together, embodying the good, being the heart, and choosing to live into the light of the future, despite the darkness of a moment. 

At Sideyard, we believe that listening to the land that we live upon is a way to care for all of us, near and far, now and in the future. Planting native plants in our yards and in our communities supports our local ecosystems, which feeds wildlife, as well as pollinators like bees and butterflies that are critical to the growth of the foods that we depend on to nourish our own species. By feeding the pollinators, we feed ourselves. By loving them, we love ourselves. By providing them with a habitat that sustains them, we are also sustained.

The 70/30 rule in ecology (champoined by ecologist and entomologist Doug Tallamy) states that just having a landscape that consists of at least 70% native plants is enough to sustain local food webs.

Native plants are brilliant. They have adapted their needs to the local climate and soil over thousands of years, so they require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than plants that are not native to a region- which is pretty critical these days given where we are with fresh water, soil health, and fertilizer availability on our planet. 

Native plants also help preserve biodiversity which makes landscapes more resilient to pests, diseases, and environmental changes. They help ensure that the overall health of our local natural environment is strong and long lasting, which means we will be, as well. 

This is my favorite part: native plants are also relational. They are relational to the land, climate, animals, pollinators, trees, each other, plants of other species, and they are relational to us. Humans are also relational. Imagine what can happen when two intelligent, intuitive, relational beings come together to heal and nourish a hurting world.

Nature is abundance in living form. There is no scarcity when it is all in balance. We can all live in and share this abundance. All it takes is making one little change alongside others who are also making one little change. There is no sideyard too small to make an impact. And when we all do this in tandem, together, neighborhood to neighborhood, community to community, state to state, these small sideyard changes become a very, very big change. It’s the most hopeful little Ven diagram you have ever seen.

We are so excited to be planting hope and change along side you.