Publications

October 23, 2024 The release of the 2024 Living Planet Report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on October 10 sounded yet another alarm: wildlife populations around the world continue to decline at an alarming rate. The report reveals an average 73% drop in species populations since 1970, largely due to the impact of human activities on natural habitats. As Daudi Sumba, WWF’s Chief Conservation Officer, emphasized during a recent online presentation, the report goes beyond studying wildlife populations. It highlights the importance of ecosystems that sustain human life, stressing the interconnectedness of climate crises and the destruction of nature....

Creating a wildflower meadow, even a small one, is an excellent way to enhance the ecological and ornamental value of your garden. Not only does it add a touch of natural beauty to your outdoor space, but it is also a powerful way to support biodiversity!

October 30, 2023 In the world of environmental literature, some works transcend genre boundaries to offer a fresh and inspiring perspective on our relationship with nature. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer is one of those works. Published in 2013, this book invites readers on a masterful exploration of Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the profound lessons plants can offer us. This book immediately came to mind upon reading the recent “Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023” from the United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). The report...

April 4, 2023 Spring is here, and with it comes the urge to clean up our gardens and remove all the dead plant material from the previous year. However, it is important to resist this urge, at least for a little while longer, and leave some of the debris in place to protect the pollinators that have taken refuge there for the winter! Many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects, spend the winter in dead leaves, plant stems, and other debris in our gardens. More than 70% of bee species nest in the ground! By removing this material too...