An “Oldie Couple” down the road from us has gone au naturel— ...in their landscaping choices,
that is. (for more photos on LEED and Green homes ->) 
Soon after they did this, many of the residents in the neighborhood expressed concern that such “adventures” - the cessation of mowing and weeding of seeded grass, the replacing of invasive species with native plants and trees, and the choice to “let nature have a hand,” would “de-nude”(lower) home values. That is not an uncommon concern. Here is what actually happened.
As it turned out, giving nature the thumbs-up worked in a positive way for all of us in the neighborhood.
In fact, following their example, shifting to a low-maintenance approach, trading out plants that demand a lot of attention and substituting them with plants that seem to do well on their own, many of us not only have found more time to be “neighborly” but proudly declare that our neighborhood looks more attractive then ever.
Eco-Friendly Benefits: In a recent conversation with an ecologist I was presented with the following benefits of this eco-friendly approach:
1. Reduced money, water, chemicals and labor
2. Increased wildlife habitat and viewing
3. Increased probability of a strong foundation that invites other wild plants to come in and grow
4. Adaptable, drought-tolerant, insect- and disease-resistant plants
5. Less effort—
Self-sustaining systems do not require a lot of effort or input on our part – something everyone can enjoy...including our four-legged friends
This of course is good news for boomers who can reduce demands on time and energy, save money, and increase the enjoyment of “aging-in-place”…or, as I call it, Aging-in-PALACE©”….
More Good News: Many longtime and new landowners in the region are eager to learn more about plants, wildlife, natural areas on their lands, and how to “manage” them in the sense that we can assist the restoration of the land that has been impacted.Nature can manage herself, but with a careful eyes and hands, we can save much more of it before we build roads, drives, and homesites.
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