The focus on biodiversity is happening from many corners now. Bill Finch did a talk to the Harvard Club of Alabama that you can see here about why diversity matters in Alabama.

The other thing that came to my attention recently was a video that two young men put together from photography a few years ago. They did a great job! Biodiversity matters, but it matters more in Alabama. You can see it here.

Just click to get past the ads.

All last summer Bill has methodically and consistently been collecting seeds of Gama grass, along with several ticks and chiggers. He sewed them in flats this winter, grew them out, and planted them at the Paint Rock Forest Research Center this summer. It is the beginning of a seed nursery. He has also collected and planted milk weed, penstemon as well as other native grasses, sunflowers and sylphiums he is raising at our house.

These grasses that once were everywhere along the road sides are now very rare. Highway departments are herbiciding the areas they just mowed so there is no chance anything will live along the roads. Unfortunately this also means native grasses and wildflowers that were using the road sides as a last refuge.