Thinking out loud this week...

One of my favorite aspects to this season is the enhanced sense of SOUND and night sight. The sounds of morning birds singing, the sound of all day hummingbird wings, the many bees buzzing, the crickets cricketing, and the much softer shooosh of dawn and dusk moths and bats – almost noiseless, but still there as part of the extended garden hours along with of course if you’re lucky enough to live in a climate that’s home to them: fireflies or glowworms. These seasonal friends mark so much in our garden lives: the time of year, the season, the time of day, the place we (or they) call home. They also without question mark the health and vigor of our gardens, our places, and our planet…

I saw my first firefly of the season (always an existential boost) while visiting my daughter in Richmond, Virginia this past week while we enjoyed an evening of festive annual recognition and awards for the American Horticultural Society’s. You can’t ask for more than that to culminate a night of celebrating people growing our world better!

Who help mark this season in your place for you and your family of people and plants – I’d love to hear: info@cultivatingplace.org!

Colorado will be getting even more colorful, thanks to HB26-1132! The lack of connected, native plant habitat in our state is a primary driver of pollinator decline, which is exactly the issue that HB26-1132 addresses. Building on the recommendations of the Colorado Native Pollinating Insect Health Study, this new law will support the State Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Personnel, Department of Transportation, and the State Architect’s office in prioritizing the use of native plant species on state-owned lands.