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any cemetery owners have

some awareness of the natural

housing complex they run, but the

inhabitants are more often neglected

and even eliminated, intentionally or

by accident the plantings remainvegetation, not habitat, and the

birds, insects and weeds are pests

to be controlled or poisoned at

worst, and tolerated at best. Most

managers cant identify the native

trees, birds, flowers and grasses

living on their property, nor tell

whether or not theyre thriving.

Thats understandable it takes time

to learn the species that surround

you and what they need to flourish.

But without knowing these creatures,

and without knowing how to

support them, cemetery operators are

missing out on one of the biggest

attractions a cemetery can offer its

visitors the comfort of nature andthe life that fills it.

A Naturalists PassionKen West, my mentor in

sustainable cemetery management,

has worked in cemeteries since he

was 17, and he was trained specifi-

cally for cemetery operations in the

United Kingdom. His lifelong

avocation as an avid naturalist, and

his passion for trees, birds and

lichens in particular, equipped him to

cultivate the habitat in the Carlisl

Cemetery he ran, and supplied th

necessary insight and skill to creat

the first woodland burial program in

a public cemetery in the UnitedKingdom.

West went on to advise Parliament

serve as president of the U.K.s equiv

alent of the International Cemetery

Cremation & Funeral Association

and inspire natural cemeter

programs around the world. No

everyone is blessed with his job

enhancing naturalist hobby (nor with

an enthusiastic wife or partner who

shares the interest equally) leading to

Whenever I look at a cemetery, no matter how small or manicured it

is, I see habitat: A billion micro-organisms live in a teaspoon of

healthy soil. Graveyards often host the widest diversity of lichen

found in a single area. Trees and hedgerows of flowering shrubs

feed and shelter multiple species. Native grasses and wildflowers

feed the insects and butterflies that pollinate flowers, the micerequired to support that pair of nesting hawks on the back parcel

and the beetles and other scavengers that churn falls leavings back

into earth. Every cemetery is alive, and once you know what lives

there you can enhance that vitality and kindle community interest in

your cemetery, as well.

It takes time to learn the species that surround you and what they need to

flourish. But without knowing these creatures, and without knowing how to support

them, cemetery operators are missing out on one of the biggest attractions a

cemetery can offer its visitors the comfort of nature and the life that fills it.

Thought LeaderBy Cynthia Beal, founder

Natural Burial Co.

M

The Cemetery as a Habitat

American Cemetery March 20136

becoming your own cemetery naturalist

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recreational outings over the years

that built an awareness of local

species. But even if youre starting

from scratch and everyone has to

start somewhere the cemetery isnt

going away, so youve got time.

Whats Living in Your Cemetery?The first steps for an amateur

cemetery naturalist are straight-

forward, and observation is key.

Fortunately, the time to get started isjust around the corner. Springs buds

and warming temperatures bring out

the various nonhuman dwellers

giving you your first task: Find out

whats living in your yard. Youll

need some gear a pair of binoculars

to keep in the cemetery office

window, a magnifying glass, a couple

of guidebooks to the local birds, trees

and flowering plants, and a notebook

and/or a digital camera to record

what you see are the basics. Write

down the date and time, the weather

and where you are, as well as a

description of the animal, insect or

plant. Get the staff involved the

more eyes and notes, the better.

A visit to your local extension

office will be well worth it, and you

might even find yourself a regular

there. Many extension offices have

master gardeners who are experts in

the seasonal activities of the local

wildlife when they migrate in and

out, what they eat, where they sleep,

what materials and conditions they

need for nesting, etc. The Universityof Maines extension office offers

guidance on creating backyard

habitat: http://extension.umaine.edu/

publications/7133e/ and its

pamphlets contain ideas that you

may find helpful.

One of the best ways to learn

about the habitat in your cemetery is

to invite a naturalist to come lead a

nature walk and tell you what they

see. Invite several experts who

specialize in different areas and see

how many species they can help you

identify.

Youll want folks who know about

birds, trees, plants, lichen and moss,

insects and grasses, too. Several

weekend visits between now and

Memorial Day should get you a good

start.

Getting the Word OutPrint up a flier and share it with

the neighbors, inviting them to come

along. Serve refreshments and ask

them about the wildlife theyve seen

in their own yards. One of the best

allies a cemetery can have is a good

neighbor, and enhancing the habitat

along your boundaries is a great

bridge builder. Who knows ... you

might even come up with a project

right there nest boxes in the back

corner, a large dead tree turned into

a safe snag or a visual screen of

plantings that feeds birds and polli-

nators. The possibilities are endless

once you get started.

Possible Cemetery EventsThere are several nationally recog-

nized nature events coming up to

keep in mind: National Wildlife

Week is from March 11-18 this year,

and Earth Day is on April 22 (see

sidebar on the right for more dates).

These popular activities are good tie-ins to promote your walks once you

decide to make them public.

But even if the first round just ends

up being a family/staff project with

the kids and grandkids, your

cemetery will be a better place for

everyone. And please let me know

how it goes! v

[green

American Cemetery March 2012 3

National NatureEvents Calendar

Great Backyard BirdCountFeb. 17-20, 2012

National Wildlife Week

March 11-18, 2012

Earth DayApril 22, 2012

Arbor DayApril 27, 2012

International MigratoryBird Day

May 12, 2012

Endangered SpeciesDayMay 18, 2012

National Get OutdoorsDayJune 9, 2012

National Pollinator

WeekJune 18-24, 2012

National Wildlife RefugeWeekOct. 7-13, 2012