How the Chicago River went from dumping ground to eco destination
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For generations, the Chicago River was overlooked, dismissed, and heavily polluted. But today, this waterway is showing signs of life so promising that Chicago is preparing to host its first downtown open-water swim in nearly a century. "Everyone used to Read More...
25 easy and effective ways to help protect insects—starting today
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Insects are facing a crisis. Their populations are dropping at alarming rates, even in pristine nature reserves. That’s bad news not only for bugs but also for the birds, bats, amphibians, and ecosystems that depend on them. The good news is that you can Read More...
Greenery, berries, and creative accents: elevate your holiday décor with native plants
During the holidays, the timeless charm of beautifying our spaces with fresh greenery, vivid fruits, and berries resonates strongly, reflecting customs established in millennia past. Magnolia branches, interwoven pine garlands, and the scented whispers of rosemary represent not only festive Read More...
Boosting urban plant diversity: A strategy for increasing insect species in cities
Plant diversity is being used more and more in urban landscaping because of its revolutionary potential to restore urban ecosystems and increase insect populations. A recent study led by Dr. Luis Mata of the University of Melbourne demonstrates the extraordinary potential of increasing native Read More...
Celebrate Earth Day by planting native plants… and then neglecting them
A lot of the time, human intervention is less effective than letting nature take its own course. So, this year, why not honor Mother Nature by giving her free rein over your garden. Instead of wishing for perfectly manicured lawns and pristine landscaping, imagine instead a fairytale-like oasis Read More...
Create a refuge for endangered native plant species in your own garden
Here at the Optimist Daily, we never tire of sharing stories that help garden-lovers and green thumbs continue cultivating their gardening habits. Gardening, or even just spending time in a garden, doesn’t just offer people several physical and mental health benefits, but gardens can potentially Read More...
Trinity College to transform campus lawn into native wildflower garden
We recently shared a very popular article about replacing tradition lawns with a clover alternative. Trinity College Dublin is taking a page out of the alternative grass handbook and opting to turn their college green into a native flower garden to promote pollinator health and boost Read More...
How hacking the urban landscape can bolster climate resilience
Landscaping is moving away from the days of white picket fences and manicured lawns. We are quickly learning there are smarter, more beneficial, and therefore more beautiful, ways to design landscaping so it works for us, and the environment. This is especially critical in urban areas where Read More...