Quick Start

 

• Nature Hour :: Rebuilding Biodiversity In Your Backyard

 

• This super-packed educational talk was given by Elyse Jurgen of Waxwing EcoWorks for the Lancaster Conservancy. It's a great overview of the fundamentals of ecological gardening and habitat building. Settle in and get inspired, just like we did!

 

• The Serviceberry - An Economy of Abundance :: Robin Wall Kimmerer

 

• This one beautiful essay is full of LOTS of our favorite things. Written by the author of a favorite book, Braiding Sweetgrass, it offers Indigenous wisdom, an intro to the Gift Economy, reciprocity, and a powerful way to get to know one of our all-time favorite plants. Dig in!​

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Books we Recommend:​

• Botany in a Day - Thomas J. Elpel

• Peterson Field Guides’ Edible Wild Plants of Eastern/Central North America

• Beyond The War on Invasive Species - Tao Orion

• Worms Eat My Garbage - Mary Appelhof

• Teaming With Microbes : The Organic Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web - Jeff Lowenfels + Wayne Lewis

• Braiding Sweetgrass : Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants - Robin Wall Kimmerer

• Bringing Nature Home - Douglas Tallamy, with Dick Clark

• Food Not Lawns - Heather Jo Flores. Purchase from Powell's Book Store (currently out of stock) or read for free/donation on Heather Jo's website!

• A Small Farm Future - Chris Smaje

• #futuregen - Jane Davidson

• From What Is to What If - Rob Hopkins

• Rewilding : The Radical New Science of Ecological Recovery - Paul Jepson + Cain Blythe

• Garden Revolution : How our Landscapes can be a Source of Environmental Change - Larry Weaner, Founder of NDAL

• Planting in a Post-Wild World : Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes - Thomas Rainer + Claudia West

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Videos

• Understanding Our Soil: The Nitrogen Cycle, Fixers, and Fertilizer :: Jimi Sol 

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Podcasts + Audio

• Sit Spot - Core Routine of Nature Connection :: Inner Pathways Toward Sustainability Podcast

• EarthCare as a Devotional Act :: Listen to Kendra's interview on the Plant Witch Podcast

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Design Tools + Principles:

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Learn About Permaculture

• The 12 Permaculture Principles

• GOBRADIME Design Process :: Heather Jo Flores

• Goals: Getting Started With Your Permaculture Design :: #freepermaculture

 

DIY Garden Design Templates

• We developed these bird-friendly native garden templates in collaboration with Waxwing EcoWorks and Audubon Mid-Atlantic. Discover how simple and beautiful a native plant garden design can be! Explore designs that fit your site conditions.

• Shady + Moist

• Part Sun + Average Moisture

• Sunny + Dry

 

Transform Your Lawn + Build Habitat

• DIY Sheet Mulch Tutorial :: Waxwing EcoWorks

• Pollinator + Rain Garden Design :: Waxwing EcoWorks

• Organic Pest Control: Over 25 Ways to Stop Pests from Destroying Your Garden! :: Homestead & Chill

• Habitat Planning for Beneficial Insect Species :: Xerces Society

• Watering Guide for New Plantings :: Formecology 

• Keystone Plants by Ecoregion :: National Wildlife Federation

• Cues to Care: City landowners dedicated to making eco friendly habitats 

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Trees + Silvopasture​

• Trees for Graziers

• Keystone Tree Crops Cooperative

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Find Support + Ethical EarthCare Businesses in Our Region​

• Sustainable Services + EarthCare Resources in Central PA

• Herbal Medicines from Susquehanna Apothecary

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Deepen Your Relationship with Earth​

• The Wilderness Awareness School, founded by Naturalist Jon Young, offers one of the most transformational courses we've ever done! Also recommended by our Woodland Steward mentor. Explore their Independent Study Program :: Kamana Nature Awareness.​

• The Easy Guide to Nature Observation

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Recommended Courses + Certifications

• Waxwing EcoWorks Co. Classes

• Permaculture Design Certification :: Susquehanna Sustainable Enterprises

• Land Stewardship program :: Horn Farm Center

• Ecological Gardener Training Program :: Horn Farm Center + Waxwing EcoWorks (this program is currently unavailable, but check out Horn Farm Center's other programs!)

• Watershed Stewardship program :: Penn State Extension

• Master Gardener program :: Penn State Extension

• Wilderness First Aid Certification

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LadyBug's Resources + Support

• Join our Newsletter for DIY tips, eco-stories and inspiration

• Read LadyBug's Blog

• Take the FREE 3-Day Sit Spot Challenge

• Get the FREE Seasonal EarthCare Checklist

• Our Virtual Services Roadmap

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