Learn About the Homegrown National Park Initiative

Sustainable Living:

Homegrown National Park

Did you know that we are experiencing the earth’s 6th mass extinction? Scientists have determined that today’s rate of extinction and loss of biodiversity is thousands of times higher than what is typical for our planet.

Why does biodiversity matter? Consider what is needed to grow our food: healthy living soil, clean air, fresh water, pollinators, a stable climate. None of that is possible without a huge and thriving diversity of insects, rodents, herbivores, predators, producers and decomposers. 

Faced with our declining biodiversity crisis, it is easy to feel overwhelmed! It’s challenging to know what to do to turn things around. In fact, each of us can do a lot! 

The Homegrown National Park initiative was launched in 2020 with the mission to “To regenerate biodiversity because all humans need healthy, productive ecosystems to survive.” 

According to HNP co-founder Doug Tallamy: ““Our National Parks, no matter how grand in scale, are too small and separated from one another to preserve (native) species to the levels needed. Thus, the concept for Homegrown National Park, a bottom-up call-to-action to restore habitat where we live and work, and to a lesser extent where we farm and graze, extending national parks to our yards and communities.” 

The Homegrown National Park Movement outlines three simple things that we can all do to regenerate the diverse ecosystems that we depend on for our survival.

 

1-Plant Native

Native plants have evolved over long periods of time with other species in the area. Without native plants, our ecosystem collapses. We can all make a difference by planting beautiful, resilient native plants in our yards and on our patios. 

2-Remove Invasives 

Invasives stress the woodlands, waterways and natural areas in communities.The growth of invasives is not balanced by naturally evolved predators, so they can out-compete our important native plants. 

3-Get on the Map

Join the movement and put yourself on the national map! 

 

Homegrown National Park

The Royal Society: Why is biodiversity important?

National Museum of Natural History: Extinction Over Time

Our Three-Year(ish) Anniversary

 

Get in Touch

Have a question? We’d love to hear from you. Please click the button to go to our contact page.

Get Involved

See all the ways you can help our environmental mission.

Stay Informed

Keep up with our local activities and campaigns.