Entoscapes:

In fall 2023, Maura Healey signed an executive order to create biodiversity goals for the Commonwealth, where over 400 species are currently endangered. One action that will clearly boost biodiversity is to return unused land to serve as a food source for native plants, insects, and animals. 

Most turf is pointless–people don’t picnic, play sports, or even walk on much of the short grass that surrounds municipal and commercial properties in the metroWest area. 

Switching turf to native plants will boost biodiversity; however, landowners will only be willing to switch if the alternative is low maintenance. People install turf when they don’t want a garden.

Therefore, I’ve been studying the work of ecological landscape professionals who specialize in low-maintenance native landscaping. I’m using their protocols on 3-5 small “proof of concept” plots in the metroWest area. Each site will take up to five years to become established, and I’ll use that time to figure out what works. As I figure it out, I hope to meet others engaging in the same mission.