We are the Ark

“Returning our gardens to their True Nature with Acts of Restorative Kindness”

By Mary Reynolds, illustrated by Ruth Evans
Timber Press, 2022.

“We are The Ark” by Irish author Mary Reynolds calls for a movement to reclaim wasteful, polluting, uniform grass lawns and return them to their natural habitats. “We are The Ark” is a  manifesto urging us to act as guardians for the plants and creatures that naturally lived in these places until people built vast spaces of grass. (In England, having a large grass lawn was originally a sign that you were wealthy enough that you didn’t need to work the land.) Eventually we carved out suburban grass plots that eliminated natural spaces and fragmented habitat. And in agriculture each farm began to grow one crop (‘monoculture”) on vast tracts. 

The author tells us to return these spaces to their original, wild states. She explains how grass yards and pesticides have stolen the habitat of birds and pollinators along with larger species. We use toxic chemicals – insecticides, pesticides and herbicides meant to kill – to maintain the perfect green lawn! 

Our guiding mission, she says, should be guarding our environment, not planting gardens for their beauty. Guarding, not gardening is her motto. She calls her movement the ARK – Acts of Restorative Kindness. The goal should be to restore grassy spaces to the original habitat rather than just building gardens with flowers and vegetables. 

Readers who live in cities or rent apartments or must contend with a condo’s HOA rules might think the author’s advice is impossible. People that cling to the manicured lawn and pesticides way of life often view “rewilding” as simply a neighbor neglecting their yard, allowing it to become messy and unkempt. To inform and educate such people, Reynolds suggests putting up a sign that says, “This is an Ark” with the URL https://wearetheark.org/.  

Douglas Talammy, the author, professor, conservationist and person who has probably done the most to promote lawns with native plants, has a bit more of a gradual approach to achieving the same goals. He says to start by removing half of our lawns, then cover that space with native plants. Reynolds would have us rid our lawns completely, choosing the original wild plants that supply habitat on half the yard and growing food for ourselves on the other half.

Some of the main points of building an Ark are:

• Remove non-native and invasive plants
• Do not use chemicals
• Give half your lawn back to native plants with the goal of re-wilding
• Grow organic food on the other half
• Engage others in this movement

It struck me as ironic that Reynolds advises us not to be motivated by beauty. In my view, beauty and a natural habitat are not necessarily in conflict. Many gardeners are first drawn only to beauty and as they learn more about horticulture, ecology and conservation, they become ardent advocates of “Acts of Restorative Kindness”, perhaps without even knowing the term! The book is gorgeously illustrated by Ruth Evans. The writing is passionate and informative. It belongs on the shelf with Tallamy.

Kathy Parrent is the founder of Green Thumb to the Rescue. She worked in communications for non-profit organizations for some 25 years, has a degree in Journalism and trained as a Master Gardener.