Saving Nature with Your Yard
Doug Tallamy received his BS in Biology from Allegheny College in 1973, his MS in Entomology from Rutgers University in 1976, and his PhD in Entomology from University of Maryland in 1980, and his post-doctoral training at the University of Iowa in 1981. He joined the faculty of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware in 1981 where he is now completing his 44th year. Doug currently serves as Chair of the Department of Entomology at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware.
Over the years Doug’s research has focused on various questions in behavioral ecology including the evolution of insect parental care, sexual selection and plant/insect interactions. 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.
Doug’s book “Bringing Nature Home; How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens” was published in 2007 and was awarded the 2008 silver metal by the Garden Writer’s Association. Bringing Nature Home has stimulated a national discussion about the need to share our living and working spaces with the biodiversity that runs our ecosystems. He has published 5 additional books since then. To this end Doug gives 80-100 nation-wide talks per year describing the essential role that insects and the native plants that support them play in ecosystem function.
Mary Fortmann, Landscape Ecologist with Openlands, has been leading the award-winning Lands in Harmony/Conservation @ Home program in Lake County, Illinois for over 13 years. She has conducted over 1,000 property consultations helping people identify meaningful, eco-friendly projects that fit their busy lives. Prior to joining Openlands in 2018, Mary worked for Conserve Lake County. Born and raised in Lake County, IL. She has also raised her own family here. Mary holds a Bachelor of Science in Botany from Eastern Illinois University.