🌱 A Shade Garden for Uncommon Pollinators at LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton, NY

In this special episode of Changehampton Presents, we take you on an immersive audio tour of the ReWild Woodland Garden for Uncommon Pollinators at LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton, NY.

Originally produced by our friends at ReWild Long Island—who generously granted us permission to share it—this episode explores how native plantings can restore biodiversity, even in shady, often-overlooked corners of the landscape. Host Francesca Rheannon is joined by ReWild South Fork co-leads Lurie Petroske and Chris Liem, as well as native plant advocates Nancy Erber and Len Green (a member of both Changehampton and ReWild), to discover how this garden supports moths, ants, bats, and other unusual pollinators.

Whether you’re a native plant novice or seasoned habitat gardener, you’ll find inspiration—and practical wisdom—in this walk through a lush, living classroom.

In Episode 6 of Changehampton Presents, host Francesca Rheannon delves into one of Long Island’s most endangered and overlooked ecosystems: native grasslands. Guests Betsy McCully, environmental writer and author of At the Glacier’s Edge, and Bruce Horwith, conservation biologist and ecologist, unpack the rich ecological history, biodiversity, and climate resilience offered by grasslands. They explore how these ecosystems evolved, the impact of colonization and development, and how community-driven restoration can help reverse biodiversity loss. They refer to the Native grassland pollinator meadows that ChangeHampton is creating on the grounds of East Hampton Town Hall. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of ecological history, the significance of native grasslands, and climate action.

👥 Guests:

· Betsy McCully – Environmental writer, activist, and author of At the Glacier’s Edge: A Natural History of Long Island.

· Bruce Horwith – Ecologist and conservation biologist with experience in native grassland restoration on Long Island.

🌿 Topics Covered:

· The origins of Long Island’s grasslands and their pre-colonial history

· The role of Native American land management and controlled burns

· What defines a grassland: native grasses, forbs, woody species

· Fire as a critical tool for maintaining biodiversity

· How grasslands sequester carbon—sometimes better than forests

· Biodiversity loss: insect and bird population collapse

· Restoration projects like Montauk grasslands and Town Hall meadow

· Climate change, water conservation, and ecosystem resilience

· DIY tips for starting a backyard grassland or pollinator patch

· The link between ecological restoration and community healing

Notable Quotes:

“Grasslands are like upside-down forests. Most of their biomass—and their carbon—is stored underground.” — Betsy McCulley

“If we stop fertilizing, mowing, and watering, native grasses begin to return. The first thing to do is: nothing.” — Bruce Horwith

“Lawns are monocultures that use more water and chemicals than most people realize. Grasslands filter water and protect our aquifer.” — Francesca Rheannon

“We are the environment. The environment is us. Restoration is not just ecological—it’s emotional and social.” — Betsy McCulley

“Native grasslands aren’t gone—they’re just waiting to come back if we give them the chance.” — Bruce Horwith

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

· 📘 At the Glacier’s Edge by Betsy McCulley – Search at writersvoice.net

· 🌱 Changehampton Grassland Project – changehampton.org

· 🔥 Fire ecology and prescribed burns in restoration work

· 🐦 National Audubon Society 2019 Report: “Birds are vanishing from North America”

💡 Practical Takeaways:

· 🌾 Grasslands sequester carbon underground and require no fertilizer or irrigation.

· 🐝 Native bunch grasses and wildflowers support dozens of pollinator species.

· 🚫 Stop using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides—let nature rebalance itself.

· 🌻 Don’t mow everything. Let parts of your yard go “wild” and observe what grows.

· 🔥 Fire (or mimicking its effects) is essential for many native plants to regenerate.

· 🧑‍🌾 Restoration starts small: even a sunny patch can support a mini grassland.

📌 Call to Action:

Want to help restore grasslands? Visit changehampton.org to learn how you can create a native patch in your yard or join local restoration efforts like the Town Hall Meadow Project. Small steps build big resilience.

In this fifth episode of Changehampton Presents, host Francesca Rheannon welcomes renowned landscape designer Edwina von Gal, founder of the Perfect Earth Project, and ecologist Tim Wheeler, Perfect Earth’s Homeowner Educator. Together, they explore a transformative vision for land care—one rooted in nature-based practices, healthy habitats, and eliminating toxic chemicals. From closing the loop on your property to launching an Earth School for a new generation of “land carers,” Edwina and Tim challenge the cultural norms of traditional landscaping and offer exciting, practical alternatives to help listeners reconnect with the land and create thriving ecosystems in their own backyards.

👥 Guests:

• Edwina von Gal – Founder of Perfect Earth Project; internationally known landscape designer and ecological advocate.
• Tim Wheeler – Ecologist and educator with Perfect Earth’s Living Lands program, providing direct homeowner support.

🌱 Topics Covered:

• The origin story of Perfect Earth and its mission to promote chemical-free, nature-based land care.
• The Global Ground Rules: “Minimize Harm, Maximize Habitat.”
• What it means to “close the loop” in your yard.
• Challenges of transforming traditional landscaping culture—and why fear drives resistance.
• Why spraying for ticks is not the answer (and what to do instead).
• The rise of the Living Lands homeowner site visit program.
• The need for a new workforce: land carers, not landscapers.
• Launching Earth School and the Amber Waves “seed pod” kiosk.
• Water-wise gardening and why drip irrigation may not be ideal.
• DIY tips for eco-conscious yard design on a budget.
• Rewilding as a spiritual, cultural, and ecological act.

Notable Quotes:

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• 🌍 Perfect Earth Project
• 🌱 @perfectearthproject on Instagram
• 🌾 Living Lands Free Site Visit Program (for South Fork homeowners)
• 🛍️ Native Plant Sale with Glover Perennials
• 📚 Paul Hawken’s “carbon flow” concept
• 🌸 Amber Waves Seed Pod Info Kiosk (Fridays in Amagansett)

💡 Practical Takeaways:

• ❌ Stop buying mulch — use your own leaves and branches to feed your soil.
• 🪴 Choose native plants grown without neonics or pesticides.
• 🐛 Don’t spray for ticks — protect yourself, not your landscape.
• 💧 Water seldom, but deeply. Avoid automated sprinklers and reconsider drip systems.
• 🌿 Make a habitat pile with fallen branches — perfect for birds, rabbits, and soil health.
• ✂️ Mow less and let some areas grow wild. Keep wide paths to reduce tick exposure.
• 📲 Get an app-based irrigation system to manage watering manually and more wisely.

📌 Call to Action:

Ready to start reimagining your yard? Sign up for a free one-hour Living Lands site visit or stop by the Amber Waves kiosk in Amagansett every Friday afternoon to speak directly with a Perfect Earth educator.