By Erica C.

Doug Tallamy has established himself as one of the conservation movement’s most esteemed advocates, and he shows us how we can make a difference in the future of the planet. I recently attended one of his talks, “Nature’s Best Hope” named after his New York Times best-selling book. Through captivating storytelling, Tallamy transforms a topic that often sends me into a spiral of despair into one of optimism by offering effortless solutions to environmental restoration, like leaving your leaves or thinking twice about calling Mosquito Joe.

I was moved by his talk so I immediately reserved his books from the library. I started with The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees. An oak tree alone supports 511 species of moths and butterflies, 100 more than its closest competitors, the native cherries, and 487 more than the beloved redbud. Only three species have been found on crepe myrtles and one on Callery pear (both non-native to North America). (Tallamy, 2021). That is not to say we shouldn’t plant a variety of native trees species, it simply demonstrates an oak’s life-supporting potential. The mighty oak not only sustains a complex food web, its enormous root system provides ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, watershed management, and soil stabilization. The Nature of Oaks is filled with fascinating stories, highlighting some of nature’s wonders and giving readers a new appreciation for the natural world. If you are called to learn how you can play a role in environmental conservation, look no further than Tallamy’s delightful reads.

This movement will not be successful in silos, rather, it has to be a collective effort. Consider visiting the upcoming Howard County Seed Share to pick up native seeds and chat with local gardeners on the afternoon of January 20 at HCLS Miller Branch.

On February 20, you can hear Tallamy speak at the Sustainability Symposium hosted by Landscape Contractors Association. Register for the event here.

Finally, mark your calendar for April 13 when Howard County hosts Green Fest, the county’s largest celebration of Earth Day, connecting residents with resources that can help anyone be a good environmental steward. Join HCLS for gardening and environmental classes throughout the year. To see our upcoming event schedule, search for Gardening & Environment in the Library’s calendar. 

Tallamy, D. (2021). The Nature of Oaks. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press.

Erica C. is in her dream role as the Enchanted Garden Instructor at the Miller Library. When she’s not tending to the garden, you can find her cycling along the C & O Canal, experimenting with new recipes from around the world, or curled up with her coffee and a good read.