Local Stewardship: Going Native in Herricks

“Local Stewardship, or ‘Green is the New Black.”

We are seeing native planting groups popping up all over Long Island, local stewards. Herricks is the latest. [If you are in one of these groups on Long Island practicing local stewardship (i.e. tending to a park or public space), we’d like to here from you so we can support your efforts! See contact form below.]

So it was on Saturday, August 16th that I presented before this nascent group of native planters from Herricks [IMBEDDED AND DOWNLOADABLE BELOW]. 37 adults and 11 children, all very spirited and curious about natives.

Local Stewardship and Two Orgs That Have Been Promoting It

Also present were LINPI (The Long Island Native Plant Initiative), and Re-Wild Long Island. I have been observing how both orgs have really come into their own, and are really getting their message out (and their plants sold) over the past half dozen years, and what I am seeing is a coalescence of a native planting movement on Long Island, one that would include any number of other orgs, local stewards, and growers.

It really helped me to understand both organizations better. This is a “growing” movement.

We will see LINPI and Re-Wild again, along with a number of other native planting advocates, and growers from around Long Island at Plantstock VI, Saturday, October 11th, 2-5. Meet other communities on Long Island where they are going native. Find options for fall planting! Live music, oysters, being at Hamlet Organic Garden in the Fall. So mark your calendars! Help your yard get a head start on spring!

I spoke for 45 minutes about native vs. invasive plants vs. non-native, and how crucial it was for local wildlife for us to plant mostly native plants. This was all initiated by Aimee Kemp, a graduate student in environmental studies living in Herricks. Her training had taught her what she needed to do to her yard — re-wild it! But she was also thinking of her young 8 year old son, and how he would connect with nature.

This summer, while school was on break, Aimee created this community project to raise awareness about native plants in Herricks. It will I am certain take on a life of it’s own now. “The Herricks Native Plant Cooperative”? “The Herricks Native Plant Society?” I will leave it to them, but a movement was kindled.

What was really moving was seeing all the time, attention, and passion that went into this project from a local girl scout. The kids, as much as the parents, will help plant a natural future here.

Here is my presentation:

The energy, interest and enthusiasm displayed by the community was quite moving. They see the problem. It’s “lawn culture,” something we Long Islanders more or less invented. At this point, it should be obvious that it is not sustainable here or anywhere. We have 40 million acres of it, second only to corn at 90 million acres.

Lawns were created as a display of conspicuous consumption. “I am so rich, I don’t even have to grow food here.” We spend billions upon billions on them to drain our aquifers, pollute our waters, choke out native plants and therefore animals, poison the soil. We just might want to rethink all this.

Restore native habitat, starting by becoming a good local steward for your yard. I promise your daily re-encounters with nature will be good for you.

I can attest to the fact that people and even communities are rapidly embracing the native planting / rewild movement and becoming local stewards. Globally AND locally, people are increasingly realizing how urgent the situation is, while finding the joy of discovery, and occasional awe.

Please feel free to download this PDF for your use. We are happy to present this live to any interested group. The mission of The Long Island Conservancy is to support local stewardship. Have us come to speak.

Don’t forget: The lawn is an invasive species. Learn your invasive plants. And plant native. Our wildlife is depending on all of us.