Montana is known as Big Sky Country, where entire mountain ranges can look small under it's expanse. It doesn't go on forever though, and the encroachment of civilization and industry makes it's mark on the state. Land owners and managers have a vested interest in keeping the environmental biota in good repair and functioning efficiently. Furthermore we have a duty of stewardship towards the land, to look after it as best we know how for future generations.
The War against Weeds and bugs has been a hard fought battle in Montana. For the chemical companies, it has been a Gold Rush, as they sell their herbicides and pesticides to the miners. The next generation is learning about these new chemicals in our environment, the GMO's and how lab animals react with cancerous tumors to their influences. Our basic food staples, such as wheat and corn, are not pure and clean and simple anymore. Some will search for Organic labels on their food and end up with a small portion of their food being actual organicaly grown. Others will try to grow their own food and preserve it, knowing the work they put into their food will be worth it for their family's health. I think the first steps towards stewardship have to do with wanting a healthful environment for yourself and family. An overall appreciation for Mother Nature needs to supercede our feelings about money and the security it brings.
Native plants are well adapted to their environments. Native plant communities host other native species, such as birds, and make for a healthy ecosystem. These relationships within an ecosystem can be obvious or very complex, as we are finding out with anti-biotics and bacterias. When restoring a piece of land, it is important to honor native plants and be careful not to add any undesireable non-natives. Disturbing the soil invites weeds and needs to be carefully considered in advance.
Homestead Nursery can help with choosing the proper native plants for your restoration project, as well as other land management techniques, Bio-hedges, Shelterbelts, Steambanks, Riparian, and Forest stand management.
The War against Weeds and bugs has been a hard fought battle in Montana. For the chemical companies, it has been a Gold Rush, as they sell their herbicides and pesticides to the miners. The next generation is learning about these new chemicals in our environment, the GMO's and how lab animals react with cancerous tumors to their influences. Our basic food staples, such as wheat and corn, are not pure and clean and simple anymore. Some will search for Organic labels on their food and end up with a small portion of their food being actual organicaly grown. Others will try to grow their own food and preserve it, knowing the work they put into their food will be worth it for their family's health. I think the first steps towards stewardship have to do with wanting a healthful environment for yourself and family. An overall appreciation for Mother Nature needs to supercede our feelings about money and the security it brings.
Native plants are well adapted to their environments. Native plant communities host other native species, such as birds, and make for a healthy ecosystem. These relationships within an ecosystem can be obvious or very complex, as we are finding out with anti-biotics and bacterias. When restoring a piece of land, it is important to honor native plants and be careful not to add any undesireable non-natives. Disturbing the soil invites weeds and needs to be carefully considered in advance.
Homestead Nursery can help with choosing the proper native plants for your restoration project, as well as other land management techniques, Bio-hedges, Shelterbelts, Steambanks, Riparian, and Forest stand management.