How Can I Help?: Saving Nature with Your Yard

by Douglas W. Tallamy

In How Can I Help, Doug Tallamy—a New York Times bestselling author and the cofounder of the nonprofit Homegrown National Park—gives his expert answers to questions commonly asked over the course of his career as an environmental advocate. This must-read book provides readers with the next step in their ecological journey.

With the publication of Bringing Nature Home in 2009,  Douglas Tallamy ushered in what is now considered one of the most important movements in gardening—the important role native plants play in attracting beneficial pollinators. With Nature’s Best Hope, Tallamy expanded his audience from gardeners to homeowners with a passionate advocacy that detailed how everyone with a yard can make a positive environmental impact.

In How Can I Help, Tallamy explores the questions commonly asked at his popular lectures, sharing compelling and actionable answers that will help readers take the next step in their ecological journey. Topics range from ecology, evolution, biodiversity and conservation to restoration, native plants, invasive species, pest control, and supporting wildlife at home. Tallamy keenly understands that most people want to take part in conservation efforts but feel powerless to do so as an individual. But one person can make a difference and How Can I Help details exactly how. Whether by reducing your lawn, planting a few native species, or allowing leaves to sit untouched, you will be empowered to take the next step and join millions of other like-minded people to become the future of conservation.
 

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Gardening, Science, Ecology, Environment, Conservation

376 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2025

About the author

Doug Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 88 research publications and has taught Insect Taxonomy, Behavioral Ecology, Humans and Nature, Insect Ecology, and other courses for 36 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His book Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens was published by Timber Press in 2007 and was awarded the 2008 Silver Medal by the Garden Writers' Association. The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, was published in 2014. Among his awards are the Garden Club of America Margaret Douglas Medal for Conservation and the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence.

Reviews

[Shelby Gee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content of How Can I Help? is fantastic! The ease of reading is meh.
The book is chunked into major topics, which helps you hone in on the section you're looking to read about, and Tallamy gives great answers to questions that many of us may have about things like transforming our yards, oak trees, invasive species, and native plants. Within each section of the book is a series of questions and answers. It's difficult to read for an extended time as it feels disjointed. Additionally, there is no further breakdown within each large section, so if you're looking for something specific, you'll read the whole section to find it.

I love the advice and think this book brings a bounty of knowledge. However, it's hard to use to its full potential.

I received an Advanced Copy.

[Laura Hoffman Brauman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Tallamy's work - Bringing Nature Home, Nature's Best Hope, and The Nature of Oaks are all excellent works that speak to the importance of keystone species and the way that the decisions we make about our own yards can make a huge difference in supporting the environment and local ecosystems. In How Can I Help, Tallamy's newest book, he answers many of the most common questions he has received over the years at numerous presentations. The book is grouped by subject and is an incredible reference. if you are just wanting to consider Tallamy's ideas, Nature's Best Hope is a great place to start. if you are looking to dig in a little deeper on specific topics, this is an excellent resource. As always, when I read Tallamy's work, I come away wanting to plant a few more native trees and flowers.

[Erik Lars · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information in this book is good. Maybe great.

The format of this book is a train wreck.

The organization is haphazard at best, the Q&A format is confusing. They are purportedly questions that the author has received during his talks and lectures, but rather than reframing them to make sense for a book format it's as though he just jotted them down to answer later completely out of context. It is difficult to understand or follow. They don't seem to follow any sort of cohesive plan and while some items are addressed VERY specifically, some are just very vague throwaway answers that just reframe the question.

It seems as though the author really wanted to present information - he's very knowledgeable and thorough - but had no idea how to write it into some sort of coherent narrative. Instead, there are consecutive questions of "I have a 100-year-old house with lots of non-native privet hedges. I can't come up with a replacement to plant along 20 feet of driveway. Any ideas?" (the answer is specific to the Eastern US, sorry everyone else!) and "When presented with a new idea or change, people typically wonder, how does this help me? Or how would people perceive me if I do this? What are some reasons that planting native will benefit the person doing the planting?" (The answer literally starts with the words "What you're really asking is..." well then, dear author, maybe that's the question that should have been posed. It is your book.)

Sometimes questions are in first person, sometimes second person, sometimes third.

Good information, heavily in need of a good editor. A good book if you want to dig in and get random information thrown at you but not, as the cover advertises, "499 Questions and Answers to Help You Take the Next Steps."

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to firstly thank the publisher and NetGalley for a digital review copy/ARC of this title!

I cannot wait to share this book with my friends, family, and patrons! I was first introduced to Doug Tallamy by my local Wild Ones chapter and really enjoyed reading another one of his books (“Nature’s Best Hope”) last year. Consequently, I was thrilled to learn that I had received an ARC of his upcoming title, “How Can I Help?”

If you are looking to learn more about native plants and their importance in our world in an accessible format, this is the book for you. Within its pages, Tallamy expertly answers a wide range of questions he has received over the years as an environmental advocate. As a cofounder of the nonprofit Homegrown National Park and a leading entomologist in his field, his experience and passion for the subject shine through this volume.

Broken into several sections organizing the types of questions he has received (including ecology & evolution, biodiversity, native and non-native plants, oaks, invasive species, pest control, conservation & restoration, home landscapes, and supporting wildlife at home), this book skillfully addresses an assortment of questions with a majority of answers being relayed in layman’s terms. This is definitely a book that can either be read straight through, or as a reference guide to be used as specific scenarios/topics come up.

Overall, I would highly recommend this informative and hopeful read to those looking to generally expand their knowledge on native plants and what we can do as individuals in our own yards to contribute to the larger ecosystem and natural world we are a part of.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doug Tallamy has the best vision for restoring lost ecological habitat. Watch the wildlife return one plant at a time to your backyard.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll read anything Tallamy publishes--he always inspires me to rethink my gardens. He's just so good at making a really heavy topic--biodiversity loss--feel like something I can personally fight (vs. waiting for government/laws to enact real change). And this is especially important given our current administration. I mean, does anyone think Trump gives a shit about, say, chickadees or watersheds? Absolutely not, but my children and I do. And if you and your kids do, too, I would recommend this book to learn more about what you can do to support both.

I will say that the Q&A can be a little redundant, and I think this book needed to go through editing one more time. There are a few errors, and there are a few sentences that are really clunky and difficult to understand. But I liked how the questions are broken into different topics/chapters, and Tallamy's photographs are gorgeous (though I think he reused one twice in this book). Anyway, I really need to plant some goldenrod now.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a question and answer book along the same vein as other Douglas Tallamy books, but in the format of answering frequently asked questions. If you haven't read any of his books before, I would recommend starting with Bringing Nature Home, though The Nature of Oaks is my personal favorite. Each of his books builds on the others, with new research and resources. Same idea here: Every private property owner needs to be replacing some of their lawn and planting plants that are native to their area. Not just pollinator gardens for the bees and butterflies, but plants that host caterpillars, which support so much of the food web like nesting birds. So get yourself a native plant guide to your region, ask for native plants at your local nurseries, and start planting! No space is too small to make a difference...a window box or patio pot is a good start, especially if other neighbors join you. If you have room for an oak tree, even better. I live in a state with only one native oak tree, and I'm from a state that has no native oaks, so again, it's very important to learn what's native to your space. There are books and websites to help you, and online groups. Every state has a Native Plant Society. Get informed and join the movement!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow !!! this is a big (over 300 page) book with so much comprehensive information to help in your gardens, yards and help all the birds and animals that might show up. This book must have taken hours and hours of research. It's broken up in large chunks with the chapters being Ecology and evolution, Biodiversity, Native and Non Native Plants, Oaks, Invasive Species, Pest Control, Conservation and Restoration Home Landscapes, Supporting Wildlife at Home and concluding questions. When you read this book you will want to set aside the time to dive deep into these categories, Once you read it though I am sure you will have some specific parts that you will come back to from time to time. I definitely marked spots that I know I will need in the future.
I really like at the end that he also included Online resources to further your search if needed and whole slew of sustainability initiatives for anyone who's interest.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

[Stephanie Ricker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful as a reference guide or to skim for topics/issues that interest you most rather than as a read-cover-to-cover book, but I enjoyed cherrypicking the questions and found myself reading more and more of them as I went along. Tallamy is driven and optimistic in his ecology goals--some might say unrealistic--but I appreciated the enthusiasm. The man sure loves caterpillars.

[Olivia Morgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doug Tallamy is the best! I would not recommend this for a first time reader of his work. For that I would recommend either Bringing Nature Home or Nature’s Best Hope (both should be read by all homeowners in our nation!) However this was a great, in depth work where he covers almost 500 questions he has received about native plants, local insects, and how to fight the biodiversity crisis. I listened on audiobook, but I would love to get a physical copy at some point as it would be an excellent reference book. Save the caterpillars! 🐛💕

[Bridgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a library copy of this book but I’ll be buying my own copy for referencing! It’s that good.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading about ecology and Doug Tallamy presents his understanding of the current ecological crisis in a no-frills, easy to understand format. I also happen to love plants and cannot get enough of the dialogue about increasing stability to the local ecosystem by increasing the use of native plants. It’s encouraging and entirely accessible. He also helps me justify my attempts to decrease the area of lawn at my house, to varying degrees of success. Doug Tallamy is like a local celebrity to me here in SE PA. He shows his sense of humor and at times he is a bit snarky and bleeds a little frustration. Seems like it would be fun to take his entomology class at UD .

[Cec · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a question/answer format but still very interesting and important stuff to learn about being better stewards of the earth.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book to have as a reference and I wasn't expecting to sit down and read through it like it was a novel- but I did.
Very easy to read and I recommend tabbing the pages that are relevant to what you are trying to do for your specific yard.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I am so glad I got this one through Netgalley. This book changed how I think about nature and ecology. It has expanded my knowledge so much and I loved learning so much in depth knowledge about a topic I am interested in, but knew little about. It was so engaging reading this book and learning more about how ecosystems work, the importance of pollinators, caterpillars, the way individual people can help and more.

I liked the positive tone of this book. While it shares a lot of sad reality about how nature isn't doing well, the author very much focuses on what we can do to help. I liked realizing the impact even a single yard can have and how the author explains how to handle this. I also liked how he also understands people want some specific plants that might not be natives or still have lawn in their yard and how to incorporate those and still have your lawn help the ecosystem as well. It was obvious how much knowledge he has about the topic.

This is book is fully made up of questions the author got asked and his answers to those. These questions are sorted by theme in a chapter. I liked this way of organizing the book as there would be a lot of questions and thus information about a certain topic before moving on to the next. I liked how the question and answer format allowed me to easily pick it up and read for as long as I wanted. It was easy to pick it up and get back into it with a new question and I could set the book aside after reading one or more questions.

It took me a long time to get through this book as I wanted to take my time and allow for my brain to process the new information. Some days I didn't read at all, some days I read one or a few questions and other days I could read whole pages in a row. I enjoyed being able to experience this book that way and to expand my knowledge. It inspired me and if a future house has a garden I definitely want to apply some of the things I learned from this book.

The focus of the book is on the United States and it names specific plants and flowers that are native to the USA or issues that currently play in the USA. Despite not living in the USA I thought this book was very helpful as a lot of the general principles apply across continents. It made me excited to look up what native plants are in the Netherlands and hopefully find some good sources for that.

To summarize: I really enjoyed this book. It was awesome learning so much new information about a topic I am interested in, but didn't know a lot about. This book vastly expanded my knowledge of nature and ecology. It also inspired me to apply some of the ideas to my own garden if a future house has one. I liked the question and answer style of the book with the questions grouped per topic. It was easy to pick the book up and read as many questions with answers as I wanted. I also really liked the encouraging tone and the focus on how individual people can make a difference and help nature with their yard. All in all I had an awesome time reading this book and can recommend it to everyone wanting to know more about ecology and what they can do to help nature.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Douglas W. Tallamy’s "How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard" is a call to arms, a quiet but urgent revolution for anyone who has ever looked at their backyard and wondered whether it could be doing more.

Tallamy, known for his work in conservation and native plants, continues his crusade against ecological apathy, offering homeowners, gardeners, and everyday citizens a tangible way to make a difference in their own slice of the world.

A Shift in Perspective
One of Tallamy’s greatest strengths is his ability to reframe ordinary landscapes as critical ecosystems. Lawns, traditionally seen as symbols of suburban neatness, are unmasked here as sterile monocultures, stripped of biodiversity. Tallamy dismantles the idea that environmental conservation is an exclusive endeavor reserved for policymakers or scientists. Instead, he argues that real change starts at home—with native plants, thoughtful landscaping, and a rejection of the aesthetic conventions that prioritize uniformity over ecological health.

Unlike some environmental books that drown readers in abstract ideals, "How Can I Help?" thrives on actionable advice. Tallamy outlines clear steps for readers to transform their own yards into thriving habitats—no need for grand gestures, just a willingness to rethink traditional gardening norms. Whether it’s planting keystone species that support insect populations or eliminating pesticide use, the book offers a practical roadmap to rebuilding ecosystems from the ground up. His writing balances optimism and urgency; the planet is struggling, yes, but individuals wield incredible power to restore what has been lost.

This book speaks to multiple audiences: the seasoned environmentalist will find affirmation in Tallamy’s work, while the beginner—perhaps someone who never thought twice about the importance of their backyard—will leave with a newfound sense of responsibility. Tallamy doesn’t preach; he persuades, with evidence, logic, and a passion that’s hard to ignore.

"How Can I Help?" is an instruction manual and an inspiration that challenges conventional wisdom about land stewardship, offering an alternative vision in which yards, gardens, and public spaces become tools for ecological recovery.

By the last page, you won’t just be convinced—you’ll be ready to act.

[Tabseattle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The problem begins with our estrangement from nature…
Urban Sprawl: in 2009, 80% of the people in the world lived in or near a town or city. In the state of Washington alone, over 35,000 acres of wildlife habitat are destroyed or degraded each year for housing and other development. Rural settings are no longer safe havens for native species due to monocropping, GMOs, and pesticide use, causing wildlife to immigrate into cities and suburbs in the search of food and shelter.

Urban public spaces, parks, yards, and parking strips appear green but are often planted with turf-grass and exotic or invasive plants which offer little or no sustenance to native fauna. Worryingly, the EPA reports that homeowners in the U.S. use 70 million pounds of herbicides & pesticides per year. The ugly reality is that your backyard may be laced with a toxic cocktail of chemicals that are deadly. Of 30 commonly used lawn pesticides 19 are found in our groundwater, 22 are toxic to birds, all 30 are toxic to fish and aquatic organisms, 29 are deadly to bees, and 14 are toxic for mammals; some fungicides and pesticides can kill 60-90% of the earthworms where they are applied. In addition, the EPA reports that the run-off from lawn care products into our fresh water includes carcinogens, hormonal disruptors, and neurotoxins, and that there are no federal regulations for these products.

How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard by Douglas Tallamy offers many answers. He outlines how individuals and families can take small actions that add up to create backyard wildlife sanctuaries that create healthy ecosystems and wildlife corridors in our neighborhoods.

This book will enhance any library. It is easy to navigate and has information for both beginners and seasoned gardeners. I would recommend this book for homeowners, teachers, and gardeners, or anyone really, who yearns to reconnect with nature.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

How Can I Help? is an accessible, interesting, and often sobering look at natural diversity and the challenges of invasive species in the context of suburban and exurban spaces presented by Dr. Douglas Tallamy. Released 8th April 2025 by Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 376 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

According to the WHO one of the biggest threats to humanity is the loss of biodiversity across climates and geographical areas. Dr. Tallamy does a good job of presenting the facts along with a list of achievable local/personal actions readers can incorporate which will have a net positive benefit for local native species.

It's written in layman accessible language and although it's not annotated or academically rigorous, the author does a very good job of "showing his work" and the resources bibliography and links at the end of the book will provide readers with many hours of further reading. The concluding chapter/appendix contains a number of good questions from the author for readers to consider.

Graphically, it's simple and direct. There's not a lot of photography, but what there is, is high quality, clear, and in color.

Four stars. Dr. Tallamy has a strong and sure voice, and provides concrete ideas for helping recover our planet. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home use, and for book club discussion.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

[Valorie Hallinan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not recommend this book, especially if you are new to learning how to return your yard into a healthy, native habitat. I doubt that more experienced enthusiasts would get much out of this book either, since is it a series of random question, loosely organized according to topics, that range from the highly specific to sweeping generalizations, in no particular order. I did find some of the more general questions to be informative, but for someone new to these concepts I really found myself at sea here. What's more, technical vocabulary and concepts are often not explained; it is assumed that the reader will know these meanings or look them up elsewhere. I've no doubt this author is an expert, but I agree with Erik Lars who left the one-star review, it is as if the author didn't know how to organize his theme into a cohesive book, didn't want to, and certainly did not have an editor who could help him do this. This is doubly frustrating because I read about this book in the NYTimes and I am baffled by the endorsement.

[Ann Burruss · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like learning about nature, plants, birds, bugs but don't want a textbook this question and answer format book is for you. Pick and choose the topics you are interested in. Ordered by general topic, oaks, or invasive species, etc., read up on what appeals and skip the rest. Some of the information repeats, but little enough so that a cover to cover read is worth it too.

Doug Tallamy is on a mission to convince the world to devote some space for native plants in any piece of land they control, no matter the size. Control a patio? Put native milkweed and goldenrod in pots. Control a suburban yard? Remove invasive exotics piece by piece and plant native shrubs, plants, and an oak tree or three.

The sixth mass extinction is underway, but this is not a depressing book because unlike some problems, there is something each individual can do. Plant some locally appropriate native plants with high wildlife value! You can do it.

[Cozy Champagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Doug Tallamy's books and his advice on how to make your backyard more friendly to wildlife. This easy-to-read question-and-answer format in "How Can I Help?: Saving Nature with Your Yard" works great and gets to the heart of things without much waffle.

There are tons of awesome tips here to help people make small differences in their own backyards. Many of these tips impart knowledge and are something that anyone can put into action.

I have already recommended this book to a couple of friends and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves nature and wants to have a tiny National Park outside their door. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Cassandra Lashae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the scope of this book and how it brings a narrow view of what homeowners can do to help nature. Key takeaway being to reduce the use of unnecessary and harmful pesticides/herbicides, reduce artificial lighting at night, mow less surface area, and make sure landscaped areas use native plants. It's practical, not too philosophical and gives good information and references other resources for those who want to do a deep dive into what to plant or weed out. I didn't mind the Q&A topic organization to much, but it also got a bit repetitive if you are reading it cover to cover instead of using it to find specific answers.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, eye-opening, and inspiring read. It’s filled with practical insights about how the choices we make in our own yards can have a real impact on local ecosystems. Some of the content was immediately useful, while other parts were a bit over my head for now, but that just means it’s a book I’ll return to as I keep working toward turning my yard into a native plant haven. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking to make meaningful changes and contribute to the food web in their own backyard.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am personally responsible for neither climate change nor ecological collapse, but thinking I might be able to do something to help is good for my mental health.

It remains to be seen if my current hyperfixation on native plants will be fleeting or become enduring, having always aspired to own a house on .1 acre of land adjacent to a nature preserve. I have previously expressed zero interest in gardening or even basic yard maintenance. But this book makes me think I can learn, and helps me understand why it is so important that I try.

[PDoyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book written in question/answer format. As such, I find it useful as a reference moving forward. I also liked Dr. Tallamy’s writing style, as he explained complex information simply and in a conversational manner. The book also refers to other sources for more detailed information on certain topics. If you love learning about the nature that could be in your own back yard, and to learn some concrete steps to improve biodiversity, this is an excellent choice.

[Katherine Stoltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb, as usual for Tallamy. This is a departure from his previous books. It is an easier read as it is in question and answer form with various topics discussing what a landowner can do to help native wildlife, particularly insects. I learned a few things, such as the importance of moths, which are more numerous than butterflies, and the distinction between planting for pollinators and planting for caterpillars which sustain the food web. Go native!

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read other books by Doug Tallamy, so I'm already well versed in the Homegrown National Parks movement. Because of that I found the question/answer format of this book worked at the right speed for me. I could skim along, picking and choosing the questions that were interesting to me. If you haven't read anything else before, I would start with Tallamy's Nature's Best Hope before reading this book (and you can even start with the YA edition for even more accessibility.)

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book by the leader of the movement to save our birds and all of nature by planting native plants and trees. It is an extreme deep dive into the subject in the form of questions and answers. At over 300 pages, it is not for light reading but it will tell you anything you need to know.

I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.

[Michael Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of do not know where to start with conservation and are overwhelmed. The author uses l\lectures to show us how to use conservation in our own backyards. He talks about evolution and the environment and how we can use ell this ourselves in oiur own environment. I recommend this book for environment readers.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was some great info packed into this book with all sorts of ideas on things we can do to help pollinators and wildlife. I struggled with the format however as I felt the unedited question and answer format hard to follow. I wanted a more organized flow to the topics. But I did learn a lot overall.