Hello All,
You do not need a yard to grow habitat!
Whether you have a back porch, backyard or back 40, you all can plant native plants. Whether you plant a few plants or seed large areas
you will have the opportunity to attract native insect species. Following will come an array of other wildlife that depend on insects for their
basic diet whether as adults or adults foraging for their young.
Thus a greater array of you local neighbors will begin showing up in your yard. This will be true in all four seasons. We all have our share of migratory birds depending on species flyways. And we also have a variety of seasonal visitors.
It is interesting to watch your feeders and plantings. They are reliable weather stations.
Thus give your yard(s) a good look, while asking what natives can I incorporate in my yard. One caveat here is that when you head to the florist
and begin to talk natives, many will try to switch you to the inventory they have on hand. They will say, “I have x and/or y plants and they have
naturalized well.” What they are saying is – I do not have the native plants you are asking for. That works well for the plant and yes it may not be a native, but it will thrive in your garden. Thus that works for the plant, but does not work for most insects. Most insects are highly specific
regarding the plants they consume and/or use as a nursery for their offspring.
Remember we do not have to race out to change the entire plant inventory in our pots and yards. Be patient and do it over time.
If you all decide to make this adjustment please do not forget to notify the not-for-profit organizations that track and encourage your
activity.
Thanks, hank
Hank Hohenstein, OFS
Land Steward
161 Osprey Vista
Shady Cove, OR 97539
Cell: 541-973-5442
hankhohenstein@gmail.com
Published by RJ Hamster
I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis.
I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God.
I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree.
Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons.
I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA.
While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon..
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987).
From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018.
Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi
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