May: Creation Friendly Yards
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this. In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.”
(Job 12:7-10)
May's Action item is
CREATION FRIENDLY YARDS
In Genesis we learn first that God created all the living creatures and later God created humankind giving us dominion over all the creatures and instructing us to keep all of their kind alive. Today, scientists tell us we have challenges in front of us. Some say the earth is losing species at a rate 1,000 times the normal extinction rate, and humankind is responsible.
We can all be part of slowing or reversing that trend in our own backyards, and this month we will provide suggestions on how to do that.
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Resources:
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Article: Dell'Amore, C. (2014). Species Extinction Happening 1,000 Times Faster Because of Humans?
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Video: Best Learning Videos For Kids, Peekaboo Kidz. 2017. What if ALL Bees Disappear? - The Dr. Binocs Show.
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Websites
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Native Plants for Native Birds, Audubon Minnesota: https://mn.audubon.org/birds/native-plants-birds
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How to Make Your Yard Bird-Friendly: http://nc.audubon.org/news/how-make-your-yard-bird-friendly
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Growing landscapes to help bees and other pollinators, University of Minnesota Extension
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Make a Bee Hotel: https://www.foxleas.com/make-a-bee-hotel.asp
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Creating a Butterfly Garden, University of Minnesota Extension
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Earth-Friendly Landscaping, The Conservation Foundation
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Restoring God's Earth is used with permission from Zero Waste Church, www.zerowastechurch.org. Some content has been modified by Crown of Glory.
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Tips
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Week 1
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Plant dill or butterfly weed, both excellent host plant for butterflies.
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Replace grass with mulch or low-growing ground cover plants and avoid using harmful chemicals in your yard.
Week 2
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Replace non-native plants with native plants. Clump them for a better habitat.
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Plant a new tree which offers great habitat and food for birds. Check with your local Extension or City for tree suggestions.
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Week 3
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Build a nest block for native Mason Bees, excellent early season pollinators.
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Host a beekeeper at your school, home or church.
Week 4
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Build a brush pile in your yard to provide shelter for wildlife.
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Build a bird house or install a bird bath in your yard.
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