@everyone in the comments like “I can’t wait till I have a house to steward the land on!” You know no one says it has to be your land, right? I steward a local creek- I keep it clean, I feed the spirits, I pick up glass and destroy invasive species as best I can, I do my duty to the genus locorum that tend the land spiritually.
So, because I like learning opportunities, here’s how to steward land.
Pick a spot. An abandoned lot, a road ditch, a cemetery, a creek, a path though the woods, a piece of timber bordering a park, whatever.
If it isn’t your land and you really don’t like doing illegal shit (smh), get permission to tend it.
If you’re magically inclined, get to know the spirits there, set up altar space with items that won’t be litter if they get loose, or that won’t make animals sick if they get into them. Only do this if appropriate. I have an altar beside the creek on a few big, flat stones, but this might be less appropriate in an often visited cemetery.
Start with what’s there. If it’s all grass, mow it higher. Pick up the trash. Prune the trees and large plants, learn to identify the plants that are there and if they’re native or not.
Next step up, destroy invasive species (if you’re certain they’re invasive.) Emerald ash borers are easy to identify. Kudzu is a little less so. Water what needs watering, weed what needs weeding.
Start planting, if you can. Learn from the native people on your land if you have access to them- otherwise, check an extension office or university. Plant native species in varieties that will coexist. Start removing grass, if appropriate. Probably shouldn’t remove grass in a cemetery, but if the ditch you’re tending is just regular bluegrass, smother that shit out and start planting better things.
Make certain the area is habitable for native species of animals and insects. I cannot STRESS ENOUGH how important it is to make sure your area is accessible and habitable for native species, especially native pollinators. I live in the prairie area, and if I see one more “native species haven” with no flowers or only red ones, I’m going to flip my shit.
Finally, LISTEN TO NATIVES. If it’s your land, consider participating in a land-back program. If you ask for advice, listen to it. Check the websites that most tribes have for this purpose. And BE RESPECTFUL.
This is all I have for yall, go fuckin wild.
annaxmalina
stormborns
origamiaround
snowghoul
germansingergirl
ellievsbear
gummygunk
kianamaiart
theartofmadeline
