Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens

Douglas W. Tallamy argues that the rapid decline of North American wildlife is directly linked to the loss of native plant species in private landscapes. He explains that most backyard insects, particularly caterpillars, are specialists that cannot eat non-native ornamental plants. Because these insects form the foundation of the food web, their absence leads to the local collapse of bird populations and other predators. Tallamy details how residential gardeners can function as conservationists by replacing sterile lawns and exotic shrubs with indigenous flora that supports complex ecological relationships.

This book is written for suburban homeowners, amateur gardeners, and land managers who want to restore biological diversity to their immediate surroundings. Readers learn how to identify productive plant species that provide the specific chemical requirements needed by local fauna. By following these practical planting strategies, individuals gain the ability to turn isolated yards into functioning corridors for wildlife. The reader walks away with a clear biological framework for selecting plants based on their functional value to the ecosystem rather than just their visual appearance.