Resources

Doug Tallamy's lectures have inspired thousands of people to restore habitat across the United States and beyond. I was honored to serve on the planning committee for the Nature's Best Hope Conference hosted by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour and featuring keynote speaker Doug Tallamy in November 2024. Here's a link to the online agenda, program and resources: 

Nature's Best Hope Conference 2024 

This is Doug Tallamy's video that inspired me to take action: 

Doug Tallamy Nature's Best Hope Lecture

Need Plants? Find nurseries and plant sales at: https://bit.ly/CNPSnurseryList and at: https://bit.ly/BBTN-NurseryList

A few of my personal favorite native nurseries are: CNLnatives.com, WatershedNursery.com, EastBayWilds.com, OakTownNursery.com  

I also shop at these nurseries that have a good selection of native plants: Summerwinds.com (Palo Alto); almadenvalleynursery.com

Looking for California native plant seeds? Check out the great selection of native seeds and seed mixes at Larnerseed.com, klamathsiskiyouseeds.com, and SeedHunt.com

Calscape.org is an amazing and robust database of California native plants featuring details of over 8,000 plants, the butterflies and moths that use them as host plants (to feed caterpillars, which in turn feed baby birds and many other species). The site has customizable plant lists, downloadable signs, and links to native plant nurseries throughout the state.

This short half hour video was part of the Bringing Back the Natives online tour in 2023. It features a sampling of some of the best 'keystone' plants that grow well in a sunny spot and feed the most butterfly and moth caterpillars. These in turn feed many other species, including 96% of our local baby birds. 

Video - Easy California Native Plants for Sun

Also feel free to skim the slide deck for this presentation: 

Slides for Easy California Native Plants for Sun

This short half hour video was part of the Bringing Back the Natives online tour in 2023. It features a sampling of some of the best 'keystone' plants that grow well in a shady spot and feed the most butterfly and moth caterpillars. These in turn feed many other species, including 96% of our local baby birds. 

Video - Easy California Native Plants for Shade

Also feel free to skim the slide deck for this presentation: 

Slides for Easy California Native Plants for Shade

These are some of my favorite books about native gardening and the natural world.  They have sparked curiosity about the natural world and inspired me to replace my useless lawn and box hedge with a vibrant native garden filled with bees, butterflies, moths and birds. 

I've spent more time outdoors, improving my mental and physical health while feeling empowered to make a difference in the world. 

These are just a sampling of the many excellent publications that are available, and I will continue to add to this list, so check back to see what's new!

EcoGardenista's List of Inspiring Books

And also, in case you missed it on the Kid's page:

EcoGardenista's Suggested Books for Kids

I'm grateful to Kathy Kramer, of the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour for asking me to design these 'keystone' native plant signs to promote these plants on the tour and beyond.  Some of our local schools and nurseries are using them as well. You can download these signs for free here: 

https://bit.ly/Keystone-Plant-Signs

And be sure to check out the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, which takes place in spring each year (see my Get Involved page for details)