Page 33 - May Banner 2018_Neat

Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
by Christine Maccabee
On The Wild Side
Land Use
“I think having land and not ruining it is the
most beautiful art that anybody could ever
want to own.”
~ Andy Warhol
As a land owner, I could not
agree with Andy Warhol more
(quote above). Personally, I never
wanted to turn my 11+ acres into a
commercial commodity or a perfect
landscape. I simply wanted to grow
healthy organic food and allow for
wildlife habitat. Back thirty years
ago, and even now, more than ever, I
feel the same.
There is both poor land
management and better
management, but I cannot go into
every aspect of each perspective
in this short space. All I know is
that I side on the “better,” if not
good management of the gift of the
property I own.
After all, it is not really my land.
This upper valley in the Catoctins
where I live is a part of the earth’s
ecosystem, and I am trying my
best to honor that by practicing
non-chemical warfare, as well as
permaculture. So far, we all seem
to be doing pretty well—that
is, the birds, frogs, toads, bees,
wildflowers, and me.
As Andy Warhol said, land is
a precious work of art, not to be
despoiled, and that includes all the
residents here, “all my relations,” as
native Americans think of them.
www.TheCatoctinBanner.com
My biggest concern—and the
concern of many caring people out
there—is the use of the latest in a
long line of chemicals developed by
corporate giants (not mentioning
any names). Back in the 1970s,
DDT (a synthetic organic compound
used as an insecticide) was banned
due to its horrible effect on wildlife,
which was brilliantly and sadly
depicted by Rachel Carson in her
book Silent Spring. Unfortunately,
new, just as potent, poisons are out
there to devastate wildlife, again.
So, what is the real bottom line? For
me, it is the health of our planet and
its inhabitants, not profits for big
corporations. Will we never learn?
According to the latest
studies made at the University of
Saskatchewan, migrating birds
are eating chemical-laden seeds
on the large swaths of land,
owned by farmers who are using
neonicotinoids. According to an
article in this spring’s National
Wildlife magazine, many U.S. and
Canadian farmers plant seeds coated
with these toxic chemicals on more
than 100 million acres, just as birds
are stopping to feed on wild seeds
to refuel on their journeys north to
breeding grounds. Many of these
birds become disoriented and can
lose as much as 17 percent of their
body weight due to eating from
those fields.
Our pollinators, so critical for
our ongoing food crops, are also
dying in droves. Happily, at least
in Maryland, our state, county, and
towns are responding to this threat.
I am hearing that some large stores
are banning neonic pesticides from
their shelves, so that gives reason for
hope. However, everyone, especially
people who wish to have perfect
lawns, should be more careful when
allowing chemicals to be applied.
These are lawns that robins peck
on religiously for worms and grubs.
Also, bees suck the nectar from
The Catoctin Banner Newspaper May 2018 Page 33
(left) Wild purple violet,
edible flowers.
(below) Violet salad.
clovers and dandelions, two great
early native wildflowers. I put both
in salads, clipping the petals with
scissors. The colors and taste, along
with the purple of violet flowers,
make a beautifully nutritious salad!
Here is a tidbit for you to chew
on: according to Frederick County of other smaller insects, which are
Master Naturalist Ann Payne, we all a part of the ecosystem. Get
pour more chemicals on our lawns curious and learn to identify wild
than farmers apply to their fields. plants coming up in your gardens,
In a new UN report, 40 percent of before marking them as useless and
pollinator species face extinction. pulling them out. Of course, I am
So, what can small land owners not opposed to the multitude of
do? Much! non-native beauties that also offer
First, allow certain areas to go interest and sometimes nectar, such
wild, perhaps along your fence line, as red petunias for hummingbirds.
if you need larger turf areas for Also, plant trees such as Dogwoods,
children and cookouts. which provide berries for birds.
Second, where-ever possible, allow Last, but not least, do not
violets, clovers, and dandelions to use chemicals on your lawns, or
grow, controlling the seeds of the anywhere, as much as possible.
dandelion if you do not want it to The adventure of allowing wild
take over. In doing so, you are taking plants to grow on your precious
time to enjoy nature, while you pluck property will not only benefit
the seed heads off the dandelions, wildlife, but will enhance your own
perhaps making it a game for your feeling of connection with nature.
children. I have been doing this for As smaller land owners, I believe
years, and it is easy. Of course, I we all have to do our part. It is our
always allow some seeds to go for the moral obligation and, if done in
next year’s growth. I love dandelions! the right spirit, can indeed be an
Third, plant native plants that exciting artistic project. Thank you
are the most beneficial to our Mr. Warhol for your insight and
birds, bees, butterflies, and a host wisdom. May we all be so wise!
Christine is a Master Habitat Naturalist and is available to talk with you
about ways to enhance wild areas on your land. There are many more great
wild edibles not written about here, which she can identify. Write her at
[email protected] or do your own research. There is lots out there!