DESIGNERS’ PORTFOLIOS

Wildflower

(The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center)

Ecology requires seeing the big picture while focusing on the specific and thinking across boundaries. Biogeochemist William Schlesinger, in this interview before his retirement as director of The Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies, introduced me to the term “Translational Ecology.” His statement of purpose – “Unless the discoveries of ecological science are rapidly translated into meaningful actions, they will remain quietly archived while the biosphere degrades.” – helped me define my purpose – to translate ecology into action in our own backyards, one yard at a time.

This Old House magazine

Artist Thyrza Whittemore has developed artful ways of making plant supports for her garden. Learn her tips and tricks for twig trellises.