We have a volunteer group at the UUCC that looks after the gardens and landscaping around our building. This group has a goal of introducing more native plants attractive to pollinators and other insects. This is in alignment with the Unitarian Universalist 7th Principle, “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”
Tiger Swallowtail on Swamp Milkweed flowers
The work of the gardening group also fits well with the current teachings of Doug Tallamy, a widely-known and well-respected entomologist at the University of Delaware, who explains the interdependence of native plants, the native insects that have evolved to feed on them, and the native birds that feed on those insects. To try to repair the damage done to our world, damage from loss of habitat, loss of food sources, and the use of pesticides that kill insects that are necessary for the whole food chain to survive, we are all encouraged to make native plantings at least 70% of the plants in our yards and properties and to be extremely reluctant to use pesticides.
We are working to add beneficial native plants to the UUCC grounds, particularly flowering pollinator plants, and to reduce or eliminate invasive non-native plants (English Ivy) that crowd out more beneficial ones. We already have native oaks, which are the most valuable “keystone” species, supporting as many as 534 caterpillar species. At UUCC we have planted over 31 different species of native plants since 2017, including two species of milkweed, which are the only plants the caterpillars of Monarch butterflies can eat.
We can only continue this work with the help of volunteers. To participate in caring for our lovely gardens, contact Jean Wilson (jpwils@aol.com).
*234 – The UUCC is located at 234 N. Sharon Amity Rd. in Charlotte, NC.