Homegrown National Park is a national grassroots approach to conservation that starts in yards as envisioned by entomologist and author Doug Tallamy.

The short-term goal is to establish gardens and wild areas that will become “parks” in backyards. The long-term goal is to enhance and restore connected ecosystems that support life in Newtown and beyond.

A public kick-off on the local initiative is planned for Saturday, April 29, at 1 pm, in The Great Room of Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street.

This event will feature Lisa Turoczi, owner of Earth Tones native plant nursery; and DEEP Biologist Peter Picone. There will also be additional information designed to educate and inspire.

The first 50 people to arrive at the event will be given a native tree or shrub.

Why This? Why Now?

The world is at a critical point of losing so many species from local ecosystems that their ability to produce oxygen, pollinate, store carbon, filter water, control flooding, etc is becoming seriously compromised. Readers are constantly reminded of global warming, plummeting numbers of pollinators, insects, and birds, and depleted water resources.

In the face of such big problems, the solution may be in the collective actions of many people to make small changes in their own yards. The challenge is for homeowners to create gardens and natural areas that are more closely aligned with healthy natural processes.

Some of these landscape modifications include shrinking the lawn, removing invasive species, planting native plants and trees, eliminating toxic pesticides, and leaving the leaves.

Through the small actions of many people, local coordinators believe Newtown can become a greener, healthier, and more sustainable place to live. April 29 will be a celebration of spring with a positive message for the future of the planet.

The event is co-sponsored by Pootatuck Watershed Association (PWA), Protect Our Pollinators (POP), Trinity Episcopal Church, and Newtown Congregational Church. Working with C.H. Booth Library, PWA and POP just last month co-hosted a Zoom presentation featuring Douglas Tallamy discussing the initiative, among other subjects.

Those planning to attend are asked to register via email to HomegrownparkNewtown@gmail.com.