I feel particularly pulled to effective planting either with natives or native friendly trees, shrubs, and plant. Restoring the canopy and planting an array of pollinators are acts with many benefits, producing shade, absorbing water while we are having increased flooding, improving air quality, reducing the localized temperature, maintaining habitat spaces for wildlife and insects, and encouraging a healthier ecosystem for birds and insects come to mind for purpose.

I am not new to composting, but I've been keeping with it now for about 6 or 7 years. It never stops shocking me how much goes in the bin and how much less goes to the trash. Free compost for the garden is a bonus, that goes right in my pollinators garden or on my rose bushes to break down and give it nutrients.

Flooding and occasional drought are a concern along with pollution. We have a tremendous amount of rainfall and have been experiencing mild to intense drought periods during the hottest part of the summers. It has been a challenge for gardeners to find plants that can tolerate both that do not also need a lot of watering and attention. Our water pollution issue is even less easy to solve if municipalities aren't improving the infrastructure.