The Sound of Silence
Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” was published 64 years ago, warning of a future where wildlife populations have diminished to the point that we would no longer hear birds singing. Pretty depressing! Two years later, in 1964, Simon & Garfunkel would release their iconic buzzkill “Sound of Silence”. Hello, darkness…
The next year, Bob Dylan controversially made the switch from acoustic to electric guitar, shocking folk revival purists. The decision had a huge influence on other legendary artists like the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, paving the way for a musical and cultural revolution that defined an era. The amps were cranked up, and people were feelin’ groovy! Dylan’s bold move had completely altered the course of music history.
Now, over six decades later, Carson’s prediction of a silent spring seems to be coming to fruition. It’s hard not to notice the dramatic decline in pollinators and birds when you spend as much time working outdoors as I do. Earth’s natural systems seem to be experiencing some technical difficulties and nobody is at the mixing board! The science in undeniable: Insect populations declined 45% over the span of 40 years. While many people may not like bugs, 96% of North American bird species rely on them for raising their young. When you look at these numbers, it can feel discouraging. Thankfully, we have made huge advancements in our understanding of how natural systems function, and there is a lot that we can do to help nature along. It’s as simple as stepping up to the controls and adjusting some levels.
While conventional landscapes play “The Sound of Silence” and bring us one step closer to a Silent Spring, I challenge readers and clients to reject convention. Together, we can crank up the amplifier on nature by incorporating native plants and habitat features that our wildlife need to thrive. Like Dylan, we must act boldly if we are to alter our trajectory. Sure, there will always be the purists who scoff at your efforts but, once people understand the positive difference you are making, it won’t be long before your habitat garden is a hit!
At Songbird Regenerative, we can help you create a truly groovy garden that electrifies the senses and generates buzz rather than being a buzzkill. Your garden was “Born to Be Wild!”, so lets “take the world in a love embrace” and make a change for the better. Contact us today to learn how!