…and Reconnect with Nature
Award-winning conservation photographer, writer, and educator Danae Wolfe is on a mission to transform how we view our outdoor spaces. Through her website, chasingbugs.com, and her latest book, Grass Isn’t Greener: Lessen Your Lawn, Wolfe reminds us that conservation begins at home—and that every backyard holds the potential to become a thriving ecosystem.
Rather than managing landscapes for aesthetics alone, Wolfe encourages readers to become stewards of the earth, embracing the role of “backyard scientists.” Her book offers practical, easy-to-follow advice rooted in real-life examples, showing how small changes can yield big environmental impact.
Transitioning from a manicured lawn to a wildlife-friendly habitat isn’t a one-size-fits-all process, nor is it instantaneous. “It’s more of a slow burn than a love at first sight,” Wolfe says with a smile. Her guiding mantra? Sleep, creep, and leap, a gentle reminder that nature moves in stages, and so should we.
Grass Isn’t Greener is designed to be both instructional and flexible. Readers can follow the chapters sequentially or jump to sections that speak to their specific challenges. Wolfe recommends starting with a nature journal to observe local wildlife patterns, then assessing soil types before planning an eco-friendly landscape. The emphasis is on starting small and building momentum.
“If you’re curious about a particular challenge, say, dealing with neighbors who don’t understand your wildflowers, you can go straight to that section,” Wolfe explains. “There’s a clear narrative arc if you want to read from beginning to end.”
Among her favorite chapters are “Flip the Switch on Light Pollution,” which celebrates fireflies and moths while offering simple steps to protect them, and “Don’t Ignore Your Décor,” which explores how everyday outdoor choices, from garden ornaments to holiday decorations, can affect biodiversity.
“Writing ‘Don’t Ignore Your Décor’ challenged me just as much as I hope it challenges readers,” Wolfe says. “We don’t often connect things like our holiday decorations to biodiversity, but those decisions can ripple out onto our ecosystems.”
The movement toward natural landscaping is gaining traction, though Wolfe notes that progress varies across communities. Urban neighborhoods and rural areas face different hurdles, and change often begins with one yard, one neighbor, one conversation at a time.
The statistics are staggering: the U.S. lawn care market is valued at $293 billion, with projections reaching $487 billion by 2033. The average American homeowner spends 70 hours annually on lawn maintenance, collectively using nearly 8 billion gallons of water daily.
Yet Wolfe sees opportunity in these numbers. She advocates for policy shifts in urban planning and increased support for nurseries and landscapers offering native plant alternatives. Her call to action is clear: design landscapes with wildlife in mind, not just human aesthetics.
A decade in the making, Grass Isn’t Greener draws from Wolfe’s own Ohio yard, which she transformed into a living classroom. Whether you’re starting with a single flower bed or converting a patch of lawn, her book offers approachable steps for anyone ready to take a walk on the wild side.
Meet Danae Wolfe in person at the Buckeye Book Fair on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at the Greystone Event Center, 50 Riffel Rd., Wooster. She’ll be sharing her insights and signing copies of Grass Isn’t Greener. It’s a must-have for anyone ready to reimagine their relationship with the land.
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