How we came to be
The seed for Birdstory was planted when the nonstop fluttering, chirping, and buzzing on Bart and Rachel Exposito’s New Mexico homestead was instantly silenced after a natural disaster. They brought it all back (and more) with plants.
Birdstory Nursery
Plants and more for habitat, pollinators, and restoration on any scale.
In this time of changing climate and dwindling habitat for birds, pollinators, and wildlife, we are passionate about land stewardship. We provide quality resources that anyone can use to support local ecosystems and create more wild spaces for birds, pollinators of all kinds, caterpillars (bird food and future pollinators!), and small mammals, whether they have a balcony, a small yard, or acres of land.
Our name, Birdstory, refers to the importance of creating a safe place for birds in our landscapes (similar to an understory or overstory) and the way that the current story of birds and their habitat is playing out in our world. We hope to contribute to a happy ending for that story in our own small way.
Why this is important
Largely due to land development for buildings, roads, and agriculture, humans are rapidly destroying the places where birds, pollinators, and other wildlife find food, water, shelter, and places to raise their young. This problem is being exacerbated by pesticide use, pollution, encroachment of invasive species, and the climate crisis (think megastorms and desertification). Not only is this resulting in rapidly declining populations of insects and wildlife, but it also risks our own survival as well. We are a part of nature; our fates are intertwined.
Focus on Native Plants
Although we believe that some plants that are not native to a region can benefit local ecosystems, that benefit is limited. We focus on native plants because their contribution is vastly greater. Both native and carefully chosen non-native plants can save water, build soils, prevent erosion, and reduce or eliminate the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides needed to make our gardens beautiful. But native plants, insects, and animals have evolved together, have mutually beneficial relationships, and depend on each other for their survival.
For example, for birds to successfully raise a brood of chicks they require a safe place to nest, a water source, and thousands and thousands of insects, especially caterpillars. Insects, in turn, have very close relationships with specific plants native to the area where they live. Most insects in the US, for example, will not eat plants from Europe or Asia. If our cumulative acres and acres of front and back yards in Colorado are planted with mostly non-native shrubs, trees, and lawns, there are far fewer insects and very little for birds to eat. We can support birds and pollinators by planting mostly plants that are native to the areas where we live.
Anyone can do this
We believe that anyone can grow plants that will benefit birds, pollinators, and habitat, and that the benefits can be impactful on any scale, even a container garden on a balcony or patio to a pollinator or bird-friendly garden patch in a front yard.
Plus, it is immensely rewarding. Being more than a passive observer of nature is endlessly educational, entertaining, and fascinating. Through our own restoration and gardening projects, we have seen that restoring the abundant life found in healthy ecosystems is very much an “if you build it, they will come” sort of thing. Jump in and start planting!