Bringing Nature Home

This book by Doug Tallamy is a wonderful explanation of why it's so important to use native species in your landscaping. My favorite line: "What does bird food look like? It has six legs and three body parts." In other words, by using native plants you attract native insects (who are very good botanists and don't set up shop on non-native plants), and by doing so you attract birds and other animals that come to feed on the insects. If you want your yard to hum with wildlife, put in native plants.

Available on Amazon and elsewhere for under $15: http://www.bringingnaturehome.net/