DID YOU WATCH ‘HARMONY,’ AN NBC SPECIAL that aired November 19? I just did (thank you, streaming technology) and wanted to say that it’s a must. Prince Charles, whom the British tabloids dubbed the “tree-hugging prince” when he began talking about threats to the environment in the 1980s, is the principal narrator, threading together an impressive range of interviews from farmers, scientists, environmentalists and more. You can watch it here.
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
I’ve started watching just now and will finish later when I’ve the time to focus on it completely. thanks for the link, I wouldn’t have known about this otherwise.
Thanks for the link. I’ve just started watching it and it’s fantastic.
Hi Margaret ~
Thank you for passing this along. I don’t have a TV – haven’t had one for over 40 years – so I truly appreciate your putting this up on your equally wonderful blog. I’ve already passed the link (and your blog) along to friends (in the chorus), as well as others.
Also, thank you for your beautiful Thanksgiving message. How timely when my big grey feral cat has also finally decided to sleep in my bed.
~ Abbie
Thank you for the link, I had missed the prgram when it was on TV and have been looking for it since.
Also love your blog I will be back when I have a bit more time to study it in more detail.
Just caught the end of it the other day. Thanks for the link and reminder.
Just watched the show. Nice.
I first became aware of the Prince’s organic methods and farms in a National Geographic magazine article. Sorry, I don’t have the issue information. but that led me to reading his book, _The Elements of Organic Gardening _
For some good winter listening on sustainability, check out this podcast: Mind Over Matters Sustainability Segment (a web search of those words will bring you to the podcast links)
Thanks again Margaret! :-)
oh, found the NatGeo article:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/05/duchy-cornwall/mitchell-text.html
Thanks, TomW! Glad you enjoyed the show.
That was wonderful Margaret. I wouldn’t have known about it if not for your mention. I needed that. Thank you.