Rewilding MT & sharing This Place w/ the Wild Things

Let's Build an Ark!

Become protector and guardians of the small patches of this planet we are charged with care-taking- As you restore the land, you'll be restored. photo by Tim Cooper.

An ARK is an act of restorative kindness. One Irish landscape designer, Mary Reynolds, has launched a movement to share land with multiple species and created diverse ecosystems in each of our individual patches of land. Learn more here! https://wearetheark.org/

Step one: Establish the Ark Boundary

Use as much land as possible to share with other species. Make a sign to educate others about the rewilding effort.

Step two: Observe and Connect

Identify soil type, native and non-native plants existing on the land, research other varieties or plants, shrubs, and trees that can grow in your environment.

Step three: Trust in Nature and Help as Needed

The land already holds native seeds to restore an ecosystem. Often these plants that come up when land is disturbed are considered weeds. We can welcome these important, hardy native plants back to our family by honoring their place in our ecosystem and their resilience in rebuilding damaged ground.

Damaged land needs more help - start by removing non-native plants. If the land is damaged with chemicals, add organic soil or compost. Source native seeds to plant a wildflower patch with wildflowers and clover mix. You can also plant native shrubs and trees to add layers of habitat and diversity in the ecosystem for different species. Once native plants come back- pollinators and insects return providing food for birds, and then other mammals return. The healthiest ecosystems have the greatest number of different species, this is called biodiversity.