Typical urban and suburban landscapes are often dominated by lawns and nonnative plants that drain resources without giving much back. Native ecosystems break down when these landscapes replace them.
Switching to native plants supports biodiversity and increases ecosystem services. Rewilded gardens create habitat for wildlife and, when repeated across neighborhoods, form corridors that connect larger green spaces.
Rewilding in urban and suburban areas can also provide unexpected benefits. When droughts, wildfires, or extreme weather events impact the large swaths of agricultural and forest land that would have provided food and water, human‑wildlife may find those things in your backyards, where water comes from a hose and birdfeeders or native plants offer food. Cities also serve as stopover points for migrating birds.
You probably know that pollinators are a key concern. Many native pollinators evolved alongside specific plants and rely on them to survive. Allowing native plants, even the ones you think are “weeds,” to grow can significantly benefit pollinator populations.
Native plants also use fewer resources. They require less water, don’t need synthetic fertilizers, and generally don’t require pesticides. Their deep roots improve soil health and stabilize the ground during extreme weather.
Backyards rewilded with native plants don’t just create isolated habitat, they help support the ecological health of entire regions. Rewilding seems like something worth doing.