We Should Spend Less, Enjoy More

We should spend less, enjoy more.

Even in tough economic times there's plenty we can do to bring more enjoyment to living in Montgomery, IL. For very little expense, we can work to attract more hummingbirds, songbirds, butterflies and wildflowers to the area. What would it take? Well, mostly just a resolve to do some good without spending a bunch of money on some big program. Many in our community already know how to attract and nourish desirable wildlife, let's invite them into an organized effort to make Montgomery an attractive destination for the many species of hummingbirds, songbirds and butterflies known to pass through Illinois each summer. I think if we just asked people to lend their time and expertise to a cause everyone can appreciate, we might be surprised at the result. And what pleasure such sights could bring to day-to-day living in Montgomery.

Here are some specific examples and resources. The 2011 Conservation Catalog of the Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District offers Butterfly Garden, Hummingbird Garden, Prairie Plant and Rain Garden/Pond Edge Planting Packages for only $62. Most groups, and many individuals could afford that and take on the planting as a community service project. Click Here to view their order form. Maybe young artists would be interested in drawing identifying signs so all could recognize the plants, butterflies and birds being attracted.

Do you belong to a garden club, bird watchers group, Audubon Society; maybe subscribe to "Birds and Blooms" magazine? Please share your thoughts. Could we be doing more? Can we do it with volunteer effort?