From Seed to Sanctuary: Rewilding Insights & Resources

From Seed to Sanctuary Workshop Recap

On August 18, ReWild Long Island, Monarchs Matter, and ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America) Nassau collaborated to host the From Seed to Sanctuary Workshop at the ICNA Nassau Community Center, bringing together 42 attendees. ICNA speakers Brother Zunair and Brother Hassan shared how environmental action aligns with Islamic principles, while weaving their inspiring stories, personal experiences, and aspirations in environmental engineering. Then, ReWild speakers Raju Rajan, Safa Sayeed, Hasana Sayeed, and Cynthia Zhang and beginner native gardener Maha Akhtar shared their story, advice, and insights on rewilding and monarch conservation. Explore their resources below to learn how you can create a native habitat and protect monarch butterflies on a budget!

Cynthia Tagging & Releasing 11 Monarch Butterflies

Turning ReWild's CROWN Principles into Action

ReWild Long Island co-founder and president Raju Rajan, summer program student organizer Safa Sayeed, and summer program student intern Hasana Sayeed reviewed ReWild’s CROWN principles. The acronym CROWN stands for compost, reduce/reuse/recycle, organic gardening, water wisely, and native plantings. Let’s wear that rewilding crown and turn these key sustainable practices into action!

Why CROWN? https://www.rewildlongisland.org/mission

Secure a rain barrel and/or composter by September 12 from the Town of North Hempstead 2024 Rain Barrel and Composter Sales: https://northhempsteadny.gov/rbandcompost

Identify which plants in your yard/garden are native with iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/

Buy native plants from ReWild’s Biannual Native Plant Sales: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/plantsale

12 common invasive plants to look out for:

Raju Rajan and Safa Sayeed presenting about rewilding and CROWN

Easy Native Gardening for Beginners, from a Beginner

Maha Akhtar, a passionate beginner rewilder, shared her story and vision on transforming her yard to a thriving native habitat. Here are the resources that helped kickstart her native plantings and continues to inspire her journey:

Maha Akhtar sharing her lawn to habitat transformation

Receive up to $350 rebates for installing native plants in your home from the annual Town of North Hempstead Native Plant Residential Rebate Program: https://www.northhempsteadny.gov/np

Borrow or donate open-pollinated and heirloom seeds at Hillside Public Library’s Seed Library: https://www.hillsidelibrary.info/seed-library

Buy native plants from
- ReWild’s Biannual Native Plant Sales: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/plantsale
- Garvies Point Museum & Preserve Native Plant Sale: https://www.garviespointmuseum.com/native-plant-sale.php
- Dropseed Native Plant Nursery: https://www.dropseednativelandscapesli.com/native-plant-nursery

Create Your Own Monarch Magic

Cynthia Zhang speaking about the monarch butterfly decline & conservation

Monarchs Matter founder and ReWild Social Media Committee co-chair Cynthia Zhang discussed the monarch butterfly decline, life cycle, and community science programs. Discover your role in saving monarchs from extinction, whether that is raising monarchs for science and education, becoming a citizen scientist, growing milkweed (the sole host plant of monarch caterpillars!) in your yard, or getting involved in Monarchs Matter.

Tagged monarch butterfly on Joe Pye Weed

Buy milkweed / nectar plants to support monarch butterflies & other beloved pollinators!
- ReWild’s Biannual Native Plant Sales: https://www.rewildlongisland.org/plantsale
- New Moon Nursery: https://www.newmoonnursery.com/
- Find your nearest milkweed and wildflower vendors: https://monarchjointventure.org/mjvprograms/habitat/milkweed-and-wildflower-vendor-map

Collect up-to-date data for monarch conservation planning research
- Check out our latest blog all about monarch community science projects: https://www.monarchsmatter.net/post/high-schoolers-transform-into-citizen-scientists
- Watch our video How to Tag & Track Monarchs with Monarch Watch Director Dr. Kristen Baum: https://youtu.be/0XiWQaeR22w?si=MoMpGlfKvRZODHfa
- Monarch Tagging 101: https://www.instagram.com/p/C925T3OxOrZ/?img_index=1
- Participate in the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP): mlmp.org
- Tag monarch butterflies for the Monarch Watch Tagging Program: mwtag.org