Here in New England where I’ve lived (in various states but always New England) for all of my 73 years, over the past two decades especially, I’ve witnessed an almost total change in the ecology. On the surface, if you don’t pay attention, you might not notice. But where there used to be fireweed and native phlox, there is now purple loosestrife and an invasive that looks similar to our phlox, but isn’t. The Japanese knotweed has taken over roadsides and river banks at frightening speed, and in NY the non-scented, non-sweet invasive honeysuckle seems to have almost totally eliminated the native shrub or vine I remember growing up in NH. Nor does it seem the agencies in charge of roadside maintenance have any real understanding of how to mow to slow the spread of biennials like wild parsnip. There are others too. And in NY we now have an overpopulation of white tailed deer, much beloved for good reason, BUT that deer population is contributing big time to the loss of native shrubs and trees in the woods! It seems deer do not like the non-natives, so when they find them, they eat them before they’re big enough to withstand being eaten.
So . . . I joined some native plant groups to learn more. And over the course of a couple of years had to leave them in frustration. Because among them there is zero awareness of the role of climate chaos or even our over-development that literally invites “invasives” to take root. Also it’s interesting that Japanese knotweed is a major plant healer for lyme and it’s invasion was timed exactly with the invasion of ticks (we did not have ticks in the northcountry when I was a kid; they came about 30 years ago). There’s a huge story of relationship and meaning going on that I wish people were paying attention to.
I talk to plants and trees, and I often wonder how it “feels” to be a reviled plant when all the plant is doing is fulfilling its purpose. It’s our human actions that have led to the invasions. These native plant people are so holier-than-thou that they actually tell people to pull of mullein, plantain, dandelions, St. John’s wort, and other excellent herbal healers simply because they were brought to the Americas by colonists hundreds of years ago. They have become naturalized and for the most part, do not cause issues. Mullein, for example may proliferate in land degraded by development or clearing, but as more plants take root, the mullein becomes an occasional plant, not a dominate one. This happens naturally. (This does not happen with some invasives like that Japanese knotweed however). Also, many of our beloved natives can no longer thrive in the changed climate we have today. We no longer have the cold winters, especially at night, the weather patterns are very different than they were, etc. Even without the competition from invasives, these plants and trees would not be flourishing here anymore.
So we need to take stock and reevaluate. How can we support natives that can thrive here still? How can we, very carefully because many of the invasives were planted on purpose by landscapers and government agencies for various reasons but they did not know they would eventually take over, introduce plants/trees more liable to withstand increased heat, increased dry and also wet? Rather than being the primary means of destroying our home ecosystems, how can we become healers of it? It will require letting go of preconceived ideas of who is supposed to grow where, while, at the same time paying very close attention to how the new-comers cooperate (or don’t) with those already here.
This is true of immigration as well. We are all immigrants, unless we are Native Americans. The immigration crisis is more a crisis of racism and fear than “illegals”. It’s a concerted attempt at lateral oppression - pitting poor and middle class white people (mostly men) against anyone who is not white or rich. Misdirected hate, misdirected anger. When that anger should be directed at the current regime (and those before this regime perpetuating this anger for their own benefit - power and money).
Somehow, someway, we need to find our way towards balance - ecologically and within our human societies and cultures. As you wrote here, these issues are connected. Because there are no actual separations between any of us or Earth or even the cosmos. I have no clue if our human time is drawing to a close, or if it’s “just” our so-called civilization that is endangered. I guess that will depend on the choices we make now, and the actions we take, or don’t.
There’s a book by Timothy Lee Scott called Invasive Plant Medicine that came out a while ago, with a foreword by Stephen Harrod Buhner. But I think it was Stephen who first made me aware of the synchronicity when I interviewed him for a journal I published (Gaian Voices) many years ago. I highly recommend that book.
Brilliant, Maria. Wrapping this all together to emphasize the harmony in which we all (humans, other animals, plants) belong where we land in this world hit it. And thank you for the gentle warning to fellow resistors, our strength will be in showing up in peace. Show all of humanity who we are.
Maria: Thank you for another great post. It is troubling to think how much devastation we've caused on the planet and human health. The upside? If we caused it, we can reverse it. In that same post on lead poisoning, I ended with a quote from Thomas Berry: “With a story, people can endure catastrophe. And with a story, they can gather the energies to change their lot.” That’s what we really need now—a story big enough to carry us forward.
I’m sharing that link with you because Dana is one of my favorite writers and this piece is about “invasives” or who she calls “opportunists”, and her personal experience on 5 acres of land in PA where the climate has changed so dramatically over the past few years native species are dying, unable to adjust to the yearly droughts and extreme heat that were very rare until recently.
We are ALL immigrants and invasive. Well said, once again, Maria. Your suggestion of "Hope" is one that I hold onto...and it will not happen without our doing something. Whatever that is for anyone; it's the doing that brings us together, empowers us and reminds us that there is hope. Needless to say, I'm skipping the parade.
Maria, you have peered inside my mind and eloquently articulated my thoughts. Thank you for your diligence.
Here in New England where I’ve lived (in various states but always New England) for all of my 73 years, over the past two decades especially, I’ve witnessed an almost total change in the ecology. On the surface, if you don’t pay attention, you might not notice. But where there used to be fireweed and native phlox, there is now purple loosestrife and an invasive that looks similar to our phlox, but isn’t. The Japanese knotweed has taken over roadsides and river banks at frightening speed, and in NY the non-scented, non-sweet invasive honeysuckle seems to have almost totally eliminated the native shrub or vine I remember growing up in NH. Nor does it seem the agencies in charge of roadside maintenance have any real understanding of how to mow to slow the spread of biennials like wild parsnip. There are others too. And in NY we now have an overpopulation of white tailed deer, much beloved for good reason, BUT that deer population is contributing big time to the loss of native shrubs and trees in the woods! It seems deer do not like the non-natives, so when they find them, they eat them before they’re big enough to withstand being eaten.
So . . . I joined some native plant groups to learn more. And over the course of a couple of years had to leave them in frustration. Because among them there is zero awareness of the role of climate chaos or even our over-development that literally invites “invasives” to take root. Also it’s interesting that Japanese knotweed is a major plant healer for lyme and it’s invasion was timed exactly with the invasion of ticks (we did not have ticks in the northcountry when I was a kid; they came about 30 years ago). There’s a huge story of relationship and meaning going on that I wish people were paying attention to.
I talk to plants and trees, and I often wonder how it “feels” to be a reviled plant when all the plant is doing is fulfilling its purpose. It’s our human actions that have led to the invasions. These native plant people are so holier-than-thou that they actually tell people to pull of mullein, plantain, dandelions, St. John’s wort, and other excellent herbal healers simply because they were brought to the Americas by colonists hundreds of years ago. They have become naturalized and for the most part, do not cause issues. Mullein, for example may proliferate in land degraded by development or clearing, but as more plants take root, the mullein becomes an occasional plant, not a dominate one. This happens naturally. (This does not happen with some invasives like that Japanese knotweed however). Also, many of our beloved natives can no longer thrive in the changed climate we have today. We no longer have the cold winters, especially at night, the weather patterns are very different than they were, etc. Even without the competition from invasives, these plants and trees would not be flourishing here anymore.
So we need to take stock and reevaluate. How can we support natives that can thrive here still? How can we, very carefully because many of the invasives were planted on purpose by landscapers and government agencies for various reasons but they did not know they would eventually take over, introduce plants/trees more liable to withstand increased heat, increased dry and also wet? Rather than being the primary means of destroying our home ecosystems, how can we become healers of it? It will require letting go of preconceived ideas of who is supposed to grow where, while, at the same time paying very close attention to how the new-comers cooperate (or don’t) with those already here.
This is true of immigration as well. We are all immigrants, unless we are Native Americans. The immigration crisis is more a crisis of racism and fear than “illegals”. It’s a concerted attempt at lateral oppression - pitting poor and middle class white people (mostly men) against anyone who is not white or rich. Misdirected hate, misdirected anger. When that anger should be directed at the current regime (and those before this regime perpetuating this anger for their own benefit - power and money).
Somehow, someway, we need to find our way towards balance - ecologically and within our human societies and cultures. As you wrote here, these issues are connected. Because there are no actual separations between any of us or Earth or even the cosmos. I have no clue if our human time is drawing to a close, or if it’s “just” our so-called civilization that is endangered. I guess that will depend on the choices we make now, and the actions we take, or don’t.
Oh, I love this comment so much! Thank you! I did not know about the knotweed tick relationship!
There’s a book by Timothy Lee Scott called Invasive Plant Medicine that came out a while ago, with a foreword by Stephen Harrod Buhner. But I think it was Stephen who first made me aware of the synchronicity when I interviewed him for a journal I published (Gaian Voices) many years ago. I highly recommend that book.
I’ll definitely get it!
Brilliant, Maria. Wrapping this all together to emphasize the harmony in which we all (humans, other animals, plants) belong where we land in this world hit it. And thank you for the gentle warning to fellow resistors, our strength will be in showing up in peace. Show all of humanity who we are.
😊💙
Maria: Thank you for another great post. It is troubling to think how much devastation we've caused on the planet and human health. The upside? If we caused it, we can reverse it. In that same post on lead poisoning, I ended with a quote from Thomas Berry: “With a story, people can endure catastrophe. And with a story, they can gather the energies to change their lot.” That’s what we really need now—a story big enough to carry us forward.
https://thedruidsgarden.com/2025/06/15/further-reflections-on-invasive-plant-species-in-an-age-of-collapse/
I’m sharing that link with you because Dana is one of my favorite writers and this piece is about “invasives” or who she calls “opportunists”, and her personal experience on 5 acres of land in PA where the climate has changed so dramatically over the past few years native species are dying, unable to adjust to the yearly droughts and extreme heat that were very rare until recently.
Thank you! I subscribed.
Oh boy - you are so good at nailing this Maria!! So so true. Why is it so hard for people to be grown ups? What happened to the Golden rule? Argh.
I wish I knew. Thanks for being one!
Sorry for the typos!
Will see you there Maria.
Which one are you going to?
That was actually Mark who replied as I’m still in Kaua’i. He’s going to the Bethlehem No Kings Day on Saturday.
good to know. That is probably where I will go as well. Congratulations on your new granddaughter!
I have considered the migration of Sequoia Sempervirens. 😊
We are ALL immigrants and invasive. Well said, once again, Maria. Your suggestion of "Hope" is one that I hold onto...and it will not happen without our doing something. Whatever that is for anyone; it's the doing that brings us together, empowers us and reminds us that there is hope. Needless to say, I'm skipping the parade.