Stewardship Stories
Stewardship Stories
From Lawn to Life : Rewilding
My Iowa Yard
by Beth Arends
Returning to Iowa after 27 years in Oregon, I dreamed of how to turn my yard into something other than monotonous grass to be mowed. One day, while searching for where to visit in Eastern Iowa to observe wildlife, an entomologist and native plant advocate, Doug Tallamy, caught my eye. I was shocked to learn how butterfly and insect populations have collapsed in just the past two decades, due largely to sterile grass lawn “wastelands” which cannot sustain them and require chemicals that kill the insects our birds need for food.
I was even more motivated to do something with my yard—not just to add visual interest, but to provide even a small slice of wildlife habitat right outside my door. When I mentioned my interest in native plants to a neighbor, she knew just the local person to help me—Iowa Natives representative, Staci Mercado.
Staci not only supplied me with local and online resources and native plant catalogs, but with several native plant seedlings from her own spring garden. Thanks to her generous gifts of blue asters, orange butterfly milkweed, bee balm, and more, I was on my way.
With butterflies of a different sort (in my stomach) over what mess I may have gotten myself into that the neighbors might find objectionable, I nonetheless took a small first step, laying down cardboard to kill grass on about 9 yards of the front lawn. I planted the blue asters and bee balm, with space to add other plants later, like the purple coneflower seedlings I nurtured patiently from seed. For earlier color, I ringed the space with cosmos and other annuals.
My only south-facing area, a narrow strip along the house foundation, had a spot big enough for butterfly milkweed. To my dismay, squirrels continually dug up this poor little plant until I finally wrapped some unused garden hose around it, fearing it was too late.
I still doubted its survival when it was less than a foot high by August. But what a surprise to find it blooming one day. Not long after, I spied a monarch caterpillar on it—no—two! Wait—four! Actually, SEVEN caterpillars were chowing down on this one little plant!
That led me to research further. I learned that left in the wild, only 3% of monarch caterpillars survive to the butterfly stage. But if eggs or very young caterpillars are raised indoors with protection, their chance of maturing is closer to 90%.
I brought in some butterfly milkweed twigs with caterpillars on them, and over the next weeks, chronicled their growth and behavior in my sketchbook. For the first time, I got to observe them transform into chrysalises—it looked almost miraculous to me.
In the meantime, butterflies of every size and color, as well as various bees, wasps, and more, were feasting on my bee balm and asters, to my growing awe. The old Iowa movie line came to mind: “If you build it, they will come.” It proved true here.
When the butterflies emerged, I was right there observing and able to share with my grandchildren in New Mexico, via videos and photos, the amazing transformations of caterpillar to chrysalis to emerging butterfly—and then the final step of carrying them out on my finger to the asters where they exercised their wings and soared away.
My mail carrier came along one day in time for me to show her a chrysalis. She was delighted and wished her young son could see this. When I texted video clips to them of the whole life cycle, she reported back his response: “This is the best day EVER!”
What abundant returns for my first efforts invested in native plants! I learned that even small spaces can make an amazing difference in attracting threatened wildlife to former grass “deadscapes.” I got to witness close-up some of God’s most fascinating creatures, which sure beats scrolling! And maybe best of all, I was sharing some of this with younger generations, hopefully whetting their nature-loving appetites.
As this seasonal chapter closes, I’m excited, knowing an expansion is ahead. Redeeming more of my property for native plants may seem insignificant, considering the vast quantity of sterile lawn turf in our state alone, but that makes it more urgent to me. As I’ve already seen, the dividends are worth it.
As a college student in the 1970s, Ames, Iowa native Beth Arends envisioned a career that combined environmental work and writing. However, graduation came just as ISU was developing its environmental degree program, so she missed the opportunity. After nearly 30 years enjoying the abundant natural wonders of Oregon, Beth eventually returned to Iowa and settled in DeWitt, now envisioning something more than a monotonous yard. She had no idea the adventure awaiting her as she stumbled upon the native plants movement—and its advocates—right nearby.
Every act of stewardship matters, and every voice helps strengthen Iowa’s collective impact. We invite Iowans to share how you’re supporting native plants and wildlife where you live. Visit our contact page to tell your story and join the movement.