While the Spotted Lanternfly is on the rise in Pittsburgh, I was surprised to find very few back east when I was visiting my dad this summer. Thanks to ongoing research from academics and vigilance from the agricultural industry, we’re learning more about where they pose the most risk and what methods are – and aren’t – successful at keeping them at bay.
This spring we had front-row seats to a common but rarely-seen event: a clutch of robin eggs hatching, growing, and fledging. It was only a couple weeks, but the growth and development of these babies – and the tireless efforts of their parents – was amazing to watch. It also served as a reminder that nature is brutal, and it’s usually best not to get involved.
The slow transformation of my yard continues, with gardening choices occasionally coming into conflict with existing hardscapes. After a young ash tree contributed to the demise of a retaining wall last year, I knew that I needed to consider potential long-term consequences of plants as they grow, especially when deciding what type of native hedge to put on top of a retaining wall.
Pollinator gardens are beneficial for birds, bees, butterflies, and other animals too. However, increased residential development and the continual pressure to have a manicured, uniform lawn puts all of those creatures at risk. Some homes are pushing back against societal expectations around landscaping to create safe corridors for native species, but in more than one case, the resulting fight has gotten ugly.
I know that gardening is a lot of work, but I also know that it brings me a lot of joy – eventually. There are weeds that need to come out and plants that need to go in, and I try to make choices by considering the impacts on the pollinators I am trying to feed and the healthy ecosystem I am trying to create.
In recent weeks, there have been reports throughout western Pennsylvania about a mysterious disease killing birds. Although there is not much known at the moment, avian epidemiologists are working hard to find out more, and there are things that we can do to help protect them for now. One of those things is to remain patient with neighbors who are resistant to science.