For FSPA in the northwoods, knowledge leads to interest leads to compassion

by Roselyn Heil, FSPA

“Gardeners enjoy their hobby for many reasons. . . But now, for the first time in its history . . . gardeners have become important players in the management of our nation’s wildlife. It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to make a difference. In this case, the ‘difference’ will be to the future of biodiversity, to the native plants and animals of North America and the ecosystems that sustain them.” Douglas W. Tallamy begins his book, Bringing Nature Home, with these words.

I was intrigued. Reading this book led me to reflect upon what we are doing toward biodiversity here at Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center in Arbor Vitae, Wis. This spring Trout Lake melted out four weeks early. Because we are in an eight-year drought, I suspect that the trees are still taking their time to break open their leaves to the sun. Plants that have been mulched are starting to pop out, but can they handle the occasional night frosts? Most of the flowers and bushes that we planted here over the past five years are native, including a tree sound barrier from Highway 51 traffic, the shrubs near the cabin, and the plants heading down the slopes to the lake and the area west of the Emmaus building’s entrance.

So what difference do indigenous plants make? The plants in various regions around the world have evolved along with all the animals, birds and insects which are partners in the cycle of receiving and giving of their lives so others can live. The animal, bird or insect feeds on the plants for food and in turn pollinates and feeds the plants. Each has developed the enzymes to digest the proteins in the particular plants. In turn, plants have adapted to receive the animals munching as a trimming and stimulator for further growth.

In Marywood’s region, plants and animals have both developed a kind of antifreeze to withstand temperatures from 20 to 30 degrees below zero. Where non-native trees may host one, two or no insect homes, indigenous trees such as oak, willow and cherry host over 1,400 species of insects creating a balanced microhabitat. You may ask, “Why do I want all those insects to eat my beautiful trees?” Insects are vital food for creatures such as birds, squirrels and deer. When plants such as garlic mustard, thistle, geranium and knapweed settle in a non-indigenous region, they compete for water, sunlight and nutrients. Without the birds and insects to eat the plants or seeds, their thousands of seeds germinate and create desert places for the animals we love to see.

Where do people fit into this picture? When we visit non-European countries, we see native peoples eat foods that may make us sick. They are adapted to the receiving and giving dynamics of plants, animals and bacteria that live there. We have neither the enzymes nor the bacteria in our microcosmic body to aid us in digesting the plants, animals and insects they eat. One of the unique characteristics of humans is that we change our outside environment when we move to a new place. Like my mother, we bring along the lilacs and roses from where we grew up.

Two years ago at Marywood we replaced the shallow grasses along the slopes with native plants which have deeper roots to hold the soil from running into the lake. They are more adapted to the dry sandy soil. With our eight-year drought we are grateful for these hardier plants.

About ten years ago, Sister Jolynn Brehm set aside a wildscape along Emmaus’ entrance and that created a challenge for us. She was allowing this land to reclaim its native vegetation. It can take many years of natural succession of plants to create a balance of flowers and trees. Part of the succession process begins with just a few species of plants balancing out as new ones emerge. One year I saw mostly goldenrod, another tansy and then last year asters joined them. Many of these plants do not bloom until September or October. This means that many sisters and guests would only see all green and no flowers. As they did not recognize these plants they were proclaimed weeds (and yes, there were weeds, namely the non-native intruders). By the time the native plants bloomed, the wildscape had already been judged as ugly and the thousands of tiny yellow, gold and purple flowers were missed. We get excited about our imported flowers’ big blooms. So last year we cut it all down and reconfigured the landscape so only a manicured garden could grow. One person commented, “Now it looks civilized.” Sometimes we are impatient with little ones when we don’t understand the nature of gangly youth or of pioneers.