One thing about nature is that you can never know everything there is to know. There is always something new to discover and new questions to ask. We love learning, digging into the research to find out what new information scientists are discovering, and then sharing that new knowledge with others.
Below are some of the educational resources we recommend. Some are ones we produce. Others are resources that we use ourselves and recommend to others. Check back often, because we’ll be updating as we find or create additional resources that we think you might find valuable.
The Backyard Ecology Community
The Backyard Ecology Community is for busy homeowners in the eastern U.S. who want to confidently create and maintain their pollinator and wildlife habitat.
We created the community as a safe place to ask questions, learn, celebrate accomplishments, and help each other attract more pollinators and wildlife.
Become a member of the Backyard Ecology Community today and say good-by to…
🌱 trying to figure it all out on your own,
🌱 feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by information overload, and
🌱 struggling with generic, cookie-cutter solutions that never seem quite “right” for your situation.
Native Plants 101 Workshop: Select the Right Native Plants for Your Eastern U.S. Garden
This live, interactive, online workshop will help you confidently choose native plants that will work in your yard, look good, AND attract pollinators and wildlife.
Registration is required and includes workshop replay and bonuses.
Recent Backyard Ecology Videos
- 2 Minute Plant ID: Eastern Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans!by Backyard Ecology™ on June 19, 2025 at 11:45 pm
- Laurel Wilt: How Tiny Beetles Can Kill Huge Trees!by Backyard Ecology™ on June 12, 2025 at 11:45 pm
Recent Backyard Ecology Blog Articles
- Virginia Strawberry: A Beautiful, Tasty, Underutilized Native Groundcoverby Backyard Ecology on May 29, 2025 at 10:30 am
Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is a beautiful, native groundcover that produces yummy berries and supports a wide range of pollinators and wildlife.
- Eastern Carpenter Bees: How to Peacefully Co-exist and Why They Are Importantby Backyard Ecology on May 1, 2025 at 10:30 am
Learn a little about about eastern carpenter bees, why they are important, and how to discourage them from nesting in places where you don’t want them.
Recent Backyard Ecology Podcast Episodes
- Laurel Wilt: How Tiny Beetles Can Kill Huge Treesby Backyard Ecology on June 12, 2025 at 10:30 am
Laurel Wilt is a vascular wilt disease affecting trees in the Laurel family. We discuss its history, how it spreads, its impacts, management options, and more.
- Ironweed’s Beauty and Ecological Value in Your Garden: Mt. Cuba’s Vernonia Trialby Backyard Ecology on May 15, 2025 at 10:30 am
Ironweeds are ecological powerhouses for pollinators and wildlife. Join us as we discuss Mt. Cuba Center’s Vernonia Report which evaluated different ironweed species in a trial garden setting.
Books and Other Items
We often get asked about books, apps, and other equipment that we use and recommend. So, we created a whole page of recommendations on our Backyard Ecology website because we wanted to make it easy for you to find those resources.