Saving Native Plants to Save Ourselves
Thursday, March 16 – at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom
Are you a gardener or plant lover? Do you maintain a lawn? As spring is about to begin, do you want to learn more about the relationship between plants and insects, and what you can do to support a healthy environment?
You are invited to this March 16 community conversation, sponsored by Mt. Baker Meaningful Movies, West Seattle Meaningful Movies, and South Seattle Climate Action Network, and co-sponsored by Meaningful Movies at First Church (Church & Society/Social Justice Committee) and the First Church Climate Justice Working Group.
The March 16 ZOOM event will begin with the two short films — INSECT APOCALYPSE (23 minutes) and WHY LAWNS MUST DIE (12 minutes). Or you can watch the films on your own – see film links below. Use this Zoom link to join the event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84322063054?pwd=UWxOQjJIUG53cS9ubXd0MWRHY2ZUZz09
Climate activist and native plant hero, Andrea O’Ferrall, and Chris Fuentes and Bibi Powell will share tips on how to get rid of your grass, and will suggest native, waterwise plant options. Afterwards, join local Northwest plant enthusiasts for a discussion about what we can do to support a healthy environment in our neighborhoods and backyards. Visit SAVING NATIVE PLANTS TO SAVE OURSELVES | Meaningful Movies Project for more information.
- INSECT APOCALYPSE tells of the alarming decline in insect populations over the last 50 years. It delves into what is causing the decline and how we can make a difference by planting native plants in our gardens. The video features renowned entomologist Doug Tallamy who wrote “Bringing Nature Home” and “Nature’s Best Hope.”
- WHY LAWNS MUST DIE looks at the grass lawn’s history of settler colonialism and how that ties into the American lawn culture we see today. Also, the turfgrass lawn has a huge environmental impact. It’s the biggest crop in the U.S. by area and requires a massive amount of fossil fuels, fertilizer, and chemicals to upkeep. Ultimately, the grass lawn is exacerbating climate change and the climate crisis.
- Also, THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD – shows us how to save native bees and other insects. Doug Tallamy tells us why and how to do this in our own backyards, in a seminar presented by the City of Guelph and Pollination Guelph.