![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Marian-Bell-Whitcomb-waxwing.jpg\")
We strongly feel more research is needed to help us in our efforts because it is possible to be well-meaning\u00a0 but make terrible mistakes. We can be thinking we are “helping” wildlife when we may, for example, by putting out food<\/a> that they have not evolved to eat, be bringing species together in abnormal ways that can create disease and other problems for them.<\/p>\n Given our ages and health, our formal garden area is in a slow state of transition. Priority is for removing the most invasive exotic plants<\/a> first, and blending in native plants as we grow them from seed.\u00a0 The plants are fundamental to what animals live in any ecology.<\/p>\n But the most important decision we made was to keep more than 50 per cent of our property in its natural state protected from invasive species, in keeping with the recommendations of the late Dr. E.O. Wilson.\u00a0 We seek 70 per cent based on emerging science coming from labs such as that as Dr. Douglas Tallamy, to whom we are deeply grateful for confirming scientifically the conclusions we have come to (anecdotally) over 30 years of gardening and studying nature.<\/p>\n This photo which sort of sums up the “feel” of my garden and existing with nature.<\/p>\n Marian Bell Whitcomb is a CWF Certified Gardener. Learn more about certifying your garden<\/a> or gardening for wildlife<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Marian-Bell-Whitcomb-garden-1100x601.jpg\")
About the Author<\/h5>\n