Tess Renusch

Wild Birds Unlimited: A Longtime Habitat Champion

For anyone who has ever filled a bird feeder, there’s a unique kind of joy that comes from seeing the first songbird visit. Even those who may not consider themselves … Read more

A close up photo of a firefly mid-flight.

5 Ways to Support Fireflies in Your Yard

Catching a firefly is like catching a star. It’s a core memory for many American children: the crisp summer evening air, the far-off songs of insects and frogs, and the … Read more

A small bee house can be seen attached to the side of a structure or a wall. It is filled with hollow sticks.

So You Want to Get a Bee House…

The bees need our help, and no, we’re not referring to honeybees! While honeybees can be an incredibly helpful domesticated species, they’re not native to America. In fact, most of … Read more

QUIZ: Who’s Visiting Your Garden?

By planting native and providing wildlife with food, water, cover, and places to raise young, a garden of any size can become a wildlife haven. Many of the gardening strategies … Read more

A black bird with a bright red patch on the top of its head places an acorn into one of several holes in a tree.

Building Wildlife Havens, One Oak at a Time

“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” These words, spoken by renowned poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, allude to the impact of planting just one acorn … Read more

Man spraying a lawn.

Why We Shouldn’t Have Lawns

Look around almost any neighborhood in the United States and you’re likely to see acres and acres of turf grass. How we got to this point of ‘lawn-superiority’ is the … Read more

Replacing lawn with native plants is a boon to local wildlife. Photo Credit: Elyse Jurgen

Grow Beyond No Mow May: Options for Reducing Your Lawn

Lawns are often thought of as a staple of an American home, but what role do they play in the future of gardening? Read our related blogs in this series, … Read more

American toad photographed in Ohio. Credit: Kathy Bodall

Vernal Pools Make Your Garden Sing

If you’re trying to find a vernal pool in spring, you’re best off closing your eyes and listening. As sunset approaches, the pond begins to sing. Tree frogs make a … Read more

A close up of thick green foliage with small yellow flowers.

Deceptively Beautiful Invasive Plants

For as long as people have been gardening, they have been getting excited about beautiful plants. While today we walk the aisles of plant nurseries, gardeners centuries ago were searching … Read more

A bird with brown wings and a black and white striped head holds inch worms in its beak.

Year-Round Bird Feeding

Winter is a prime time to bring those bird feeders out and make a New Year’s resolution to provide food year-round for our feathered friends. Discover how birds’ diets change … Read more