Contributors: Mike Hallé and Liette Vasseur
The following is a blogs related to an ongoing Urban biodiversity project.
Long before we arrived, before property lines, before fences, before lawns — the land carried an ancient rhythm of biodiversity. Native plants grew interacting with pollinators, wildlife, and waterways. But decades of development and chemical-driven landscaping have disrupted these natural systems, leaving ecosystems fragmented and fragile.
Now, we have a choice.
We can remember what the land has always known: how to create thriving, living landscapes that nourish us, our communities, and the planet.
This is the heart of UNESCO chair’s work in Niagara — connecting people to nature, one backyard at a time. And the good news is, change starts small. It starts with us, our garden, and the stories our soil remembers.
Here are 10 practical, powerful ways to garden like the land remembers — steps anyone can take to restore native biodiversity and create living corridors of connection.
- Start with Native Plants
Choose plants that belong here — species that evolved alongside Niagara’s pollinators, birds, and soil systems. Native plants require less water, fewer or no chemicals, and provide food and shelter for the species that need them most.
Tip: Goldenrod, wild bergamot, and milkweed are pollinator favorites.
- Rethink Your Lawn
Traditional lawns are biodiversity deserts. By replacing even 10–20% of turfgrass with native gardens or meadow patches, you create habitat, reduce mowing, and improve soil health.
Small shift, big impact: One less hour of mowing per week = more pollinators, fewer emissions, and healthier soils.
- Plant in Layers, Like Nature
Nature doesn’t grow in flat rows — it builds living layers: canopy, understory, shrubs, and groundcover. Recreate this natural structure to provide food and shelter for wildlife year-round.
- Choose Pesticide-Free Practices
Synthetic pesticides harm pollinators and disrupt fragile ecosystems. Instead, work with nature: encourage beneficial insects, companion plants, and use natural solutions when needed.
Reducing chemical use supports cleaner water systems and safer habitats for species at risk.
- Make Room for Pollinators
Bees, butterflies, and moths are struggling globally — and Niagara is no exception. Include nectar-rich plants, leave some “wild edges,” and plant continuous blooms so pollinators always have food throughout the season.
- Capture & Keep Your Rainwater
Healthy ecosystems start with healthy water cycles. Use rain barrels, bioswales, or permeable pathways to keep water on your property, reducing runoff and protecting local waterways.
- Let the Leaves Lie
In the fall, leave some leaves on the ground. They feed the soil, shelter pollinators and other insects, and build living carbon banks. The simplest action can make your garden an healthy ecosystem.
- Create Micro-Habitats
Even small spaces make a difference. A shallow water dish (make sure to change the water regularly!) for pollinators, a brush pile for birds, or a rock corner for native bees can transform a yard into a refuge.
- Connect with Your Neighbours
One native garden is powerful. Ten connected gardens are unstoppable. When streets, schools, and communities plant together, we create living corridors where biodiversity thrives.
- Let Your Garden Be a teacher
Gardening like the land remembers is about relationship. Watch, listen, and learn from your plants, pollinators, and soil. Over time, your garden will show you how life wants to thrive.
Closing Call-to-Action: Restoring Niagara’s biodiversity isn’t just science — it’s storytelling. It’s the story of how we remember what the land already knows and choose to live in relationship with it.
This is what it is all about:
- Supporting homeowners and communities.
- Restoring native ecosystems at scale.
- Building living corridors where pollinators, wildlife, and people all thrive together.
Your garden matters. Your choices ripple.
