It’s the little things that count, and if you listen, they will tell you what they need.

What do the little things say in our area? They’re saying, “We need habitat!”

A recent article in the Fall 2025 National Wildlife Magazine inspired a follow up to a previous article suggesting accepting some garden pests. According to the article “If you see them in your yard, you’re doing it right.” You do not have to like them, but you do not need to destroy them. Here are some more unlovable ones to reconsider and enjoy their benefits.

If you enjoy visiting public gardens when you travel—or even close to home—the American Horticultural Society (AHS) Garden Network Reciprocal Admissions Program is a terrific benefit to know about. By joining AHS, you gain free or discounted admission to hundreds of gardens across the U.S., Canada, and beyond, including botanical gardens, arboreta, and historic landscapes. Gardens close to the Hampton Roads, Virginia region include the Norfolk Botanical Garden and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond.

At the turn of the twentieth century, conservation was in its beginning stages, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition—a "Christmas Bird Census" that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them. So began the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). From December 14th through January 5th each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle. Count volunteers follow specified routes, counting every bird they see or hear all day. If your home is within the boundaries of a CBC circle, then you can stay at home and report birds that visit your feeder on count day as long as you have made prior arrangements with the count compiler.