I was so excited that my natural habitat was chosen to be a stop on the Native Backyard Habitat Challenge garden tour! We had more than 40 visitors who wandered through the paths, followed along the tour, asked questions, and used my temporary plant bed “labels” (I attached a list of plants on a cardboard tag to bamboo stakes in several key areas.).
After the Challenge (sponsored by the Grange Insurance Audubon Center downtown), all challenge participants were invited to a celebration, and some of us were asked to speak about our properties. I was honored to be included. I spoke about my journey converting my lawn to a native prairie, and the joy it brings me to see the insects, birds and animals when I step outside. I hope I inspired some people to not back down if some people think their plants are too tall or not orderly enough. Sometimes we need to fight for our values.