During Women's History Month and International Women's Day, we at Garden for Wildlife want to highlight some of our favorite mothers of nature: women who have made their mark in horticulture, gardening or sustainability.
Gardening has long been associated with nurturing, patience, and growth—qualities often attributed to women. Throughout history, women have played pivotal roles in cultivating gardens, both for sustenance and pleasure. From traditional herbalists and healers to modern-day landscape architects and environmental activists, women have been at the forefront of shaping our relationship with the natural world.
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship. Women have been instrumental in driving this movement forward, advocating for practices that minimize harm to the planet and promote biodiversity. Whether it's through organic gardening, permaculture design, or conservation efforts, women continue to lead by example in creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.
From our dedicated team members to our loyal customers and community partners, women are actively involved in every aspect of our business. Their knowledge, creativity, and dedication are essential to our mission of promoting native plant species and preserving biodiversity.
Enjoy these short features written by some of my favorite women in gardening: the Garden for Wildlife team.
Erin Sweeney, Garden for Wildlife Chief of Staff
Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson, a trailblazing figure in environmental conservation, made profound contributions to sustainable gardening and horticulture. Carson, renowned as a marine biologist, author, and conservationist, is best known for her seminal work, "Silent Spring," published in 1962. This groundbreaking book meticulously documented the detrimental impacts of pesticides, especially DDT, on the environment and human health. Carson's compelling narrative not only raised awareness but also catalyzed a global environmental movement.
Carson's influence extended deeply into the realms of gardening and horticulture. She emphasized the importance of understanding ecosystems and the delicate balance within them, advocating for practices that work in harmony with nature rather than against it. Carson's insights into the dangers of chemical pesticides prompted a reevaluation of traditional gardening practices, inspiring a shift towards organic and sustainable methods. Her work highlighted the interconnectedness of all life forms and underscored the importance of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Carson's eloquent advocacy for the preservation of biodiversity and the adoption of sustainable practices in agriculture and gardening revolutionized how people perceive their relationship with nature. Her enduring legacy continues to inspire individuals and organizations worldwide to prioritize conservation efforts and embrace sustainable lifestyles, ensuring a healthier planet for generations to come.
Leslie Cario
Leslie's expertise enriches Garden for Wildlife through her consulting work, focusing on the science-based curation of native plant collections, plant procurement, native garden design, and the expansion of grower networks. With a specialization in native plant materials and conservation landscaping, Leslie brings a wealth of experience to her role as an independent horticultural consultant.
Specializing in native plant materials and conservation landscaping, Leslie is an independent horticultural consultant who collaborates with public gardens, nurseries, environmental non-profit organizations, landscape operations, and engineers. She is a Certified Professional Horticulturist through the Maryland Nursery Landscape & Greenhouse Association, actively engaged in the green industry as a board member and currently serving as President. Leslie's commitment to conservation is evident in her various roles, including serving on the board of the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council and the Steering Committee of the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional program. She holds a CBLP Level 2 advanced certification for design and installation and is licensed as both a Nutrient Management Consultant and a Pest Control Consultant through the Maryland Department of Agriculture. With a background in Environmental Science and as a LEAD Maryland Foundation Fellow, Leslie offers an ecological perspective to her services, enriching gardening, restoration, and conservation projects with her expertise. Leslie's story is a testament to the impactful contributions women are making in the field of sustainable gardening and horticulture, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.
Abbi Ward, E-Commerce Coordinator
Spenser Zydlewski, Hidden Gems Farm
Spenser (Bailey) Zydlewski, the driving force behind Hidden Gem Farm in Chesapeake, VA, embodies the same essence of beauty and resilience as her farm's fresh-cut flowers. Spenser's passion for local cut flowers, which was deepened following a profound loss in 2018, has driven her to share joy and comfort through blooms. Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, Spenser and her partner Mike embarked on an extraordinary journey to foster beauty and connection within their community. Nestled amidst the captivating scenery of the Great Dismal Swamp, Hidden Gem Farm thrives under Spenser's nurturing touch. Half of the farm is adorned with vibrant blooms, while the other half is home to a delightful menagerie of farm animals. Spenser's growing practices reflect a commitment to sustainability and responsibility, shunning synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides in favor of natural methods. Garden for Wildlife recognized our mission reflected in Spenser’s dedication to creating a healthy, thriving environment for pollinators; which has resulted in Hidden Gem Farm becoming a proud grower of Garden for Wildlife Native plants. Through her dedication, Spenser not only cultivates flowers but also nurtures a sense of community and reverence for the natural world, leaving an enduring legacy of beauty and sustainability.
Rosalie Bull, Campus Engagement Lead
Ashley Bull
Ashley is this author’s mother and beacon for backyard biodiversity! In fact, she has just released six swallowtails that she helped to overwinter through a brief cold spell in Texas – bringing them inside her home as caterpillars, with plenty of pipevine for good measure, to make their chrysalises and sleep until the warmer weather returned. This is not the first time she has helped her beloved butterflies through the increasingly erratic Texas winters: a few years ago, she cared for a monarch that had missed the migration window and was bound to die in the cold. For three weeks she hand fed the creature nectar from an orange as it enjoyed its short life inside her bright and happy home. An OG native gardener, her back and front yard is full of frostweed, milkweed, frog fruit, aster, and native Texas grasses—not to mention butterflies, birds and bunnies! She’s helped neighbors and family friends start their own pollinator gardens and leads the environmental action group at her church. She inspired a deep love for the earth in all her children. Go mom!
Leah Penniman
Leah Penniman is a Black Kreyol farmer, mother, author and food justice activist from Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, NY. She served as a high school environmental science and biology teacher for 17 years before starting Soul Fire Farm with a mission to uproot racism and seed sovereignty in the food system. Today, Soul Fire Farm’s food sovereignty programs reach over 35,000 people each year - through free harvest deliveries to food insecure households, regenerative agriculture training to BIPOC growers, land-back initiatives, and food justice workshops. Leah’s work centers a deep reverence for the land and the wisdom of her ancestors. Her most recent book, Black Earth Wisdom, traces a rich history of Black ecological stewardship and genius, and explores the cultural heritage from which such contributions spring—such as the Afro-Indigenous practices of listening to the Earth, recognizing it as a living being, and treating it with the love and respect it deserves.
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Robin Wall Kimmerer is a Potawatomi botanist, mother, author, decorated professor, and the director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the State University of New York. Her 2013 book, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Knowledge, Scientific Wisdom, and the Teachings of Plants, was a monumental success and can be found in the bookshelves of homes around the world. In Kimmerer’s words, it is an offering, “a braid of stories meant to heal our relationship to the world.” In it, Kimmerer offers stories and reflections that help us to receive the gifts and lessons of other living beings and to recognize in the world a mesh of loving, reciprocal relations. Her’s is a call to awaken a wider ecological consciousness and live in integrity with the rest of the world—for we too have gifts to offer.
Kate Adelle, Garden for Wildlife Customer Service
Dr. Britt Crow-Miller
I met Dr. Britt Crow-Miller several years ago when our daughter’s were in preschool together and was immediately impressed with her commitment to environmental stewardship that was evident in both her professional life as a university professor and also in her interactions with her young children.
Britt’s passion for empowering students of all ages to explore and appreciate the natural world inspired her to found CityWild, a non-profit that encourages hands-on learning experiences and outdoor adventures. She believes in the power of education to spark curiosity, cultivate empathy, and inspire action for positive environmental change. Through this work, Britt strives to foster a deep sense of connection and responsibility to the planet, empowering individuals and communities to work together towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
Along with her scholarly publications and accessible works on environmental education, Britt also authors children's books encompassing both fiction and science-based non-fiction. Her soon-to-be released children’s book World of Rot explores the process of decay and the organisms responsible for the important decomposition in our natural world.