By Julia Wilder
When I moved to Broad Ripple, the Monon train tracks were at the end of my side street. I won’t make you jealous by telling you the price of my house. The priceless natural resources of the neighborhood are the same today, including the White River and Broad Ripple Park Woods.
However, the amount of empty lots and green space have noticeably declined. My yard, on the other hand, has gone from turfgrass lawn with conventional landscaping to an urban forest oasis. I have used dedicated gardening techniques to achieve this, but also have received many native trees and plants as gifts from nature. I have yielded to nature’s processes of ecological succession and restoration.
Having this landscape is essential to my sense of well-being. I need nature in my life. I tried living in a rural area but that didn’t work. I created a rural setting for myself. I have identified over 25 bird species. I call my homestead Wildergarden. It is a certified habitat. If you’d like more information, please visit my website at www.wildergarden.net. I formed a 501c3 nonprofit in 2022 to share my inspiration and knowledge with other homeowners.
