August 14, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

‘The antithesis of the lawn-care industry’
Hiller trying to save environment with ‘Native Return’
by JIM HARRIS

Christina stands in front of her home and gardens in Lafayette Hill.

Upon entering Christina Binder’s showcase gardens, I get the feeling that I’m not in a major metropolitan area anymore. Even though we’re in Lafayette Hill, just outside of Chestnut Hill, the sights, sounds and smells are way beyond the average city dweller’s experience. “This horsetail plant dates back to the time of the dinosaurs,” she explains, “and those butterflies migrated here from Costa Rica.”

She knows when and where every animal is nesting, what sounds they make, and the name of every plant and when it goes to seed. She tells me that the scene changes not only from season to season, but according to the time of day as well. “Later on today,” she says, “these flowers will open up and display brilliant colors.”

High above us on pulleys, bird feeders are being visited by all kinds of birds that I’ve never seen before. “What was that sound,” I say, “a cell phone?” “No,” she replies. “That’s a bluebird.” The whole tour is one big learning experience for me. Did you know that there are cacti native to this region? Me neither. She’s got ‘em. Her knowledge of nature is vast and impressive, supplemented by a lifelong study of the natural sciences with a particular focus on ecology and the reintroduction of species. Even more impressive is her considerable and contagious enthusiasm for the cause of saving wildlife. More specifically, creating self-sustaining plant communities that in turn create habitat for native wildlife.

Jackson, a rescue dog, does not seem to mind all of the wild visitors to his beautiful property. (Photos by Jim Harris)

“Plant and animal species are going extinct every day,” she said. “They need to live in working communities. The mass movement of people today is creating havoc. Invasives come in easily and are destroying the world’s ecosystems. People always want what they don’t have, things like exotic plants from faraway places, but nothing eats these invasive plants. People might as well be planting plastic.”

Concerned by the loss of wildlife habitat, Christina began her quest by doing volunteer work for local organizations — which she still does — but frustrated by “more meetings and plans than action,” she formed her own company, “Native Return,” in 2006. “Its purpose is to offer a ‘one-stop shop’ for clients — corporations, private entities and individuals — wishing to establish native plant habitat, rich with biodiversity, in the disturbed sites typical to this region. “We reestablish healthy plant and animal communities through removal of invasives and replacement with appropriate natives,” she said. “We then set up and oversee maintenance to maintain the desired equilibrium.

“We also educate the public about the benefits of native landscaping through lectures. Since 70 percent of the land in America is privately owned, it’s important to convince homeowners to share their land with wildlife.”

And not only homeowners. “I want to see corporations and developers including natural systems in their new developments and industrial parks,” she said. “All of those acres of mowed lawns are basically sterile. Natural grasses would be much better for wildlife. Connectivity is critical, too. That involves creating corridors in which wildlife can move freely between environments and tracts of land.

This fox is one of many wild animals seen regularly on Christina’s property. (Photo by Christina Binder)

“My business has really taken off, but it’s been hectic. Up until this year I did all of the planting work myself.” She had one student helper who recently left, but she’d eventually like to have full-time employees, “people who understand ecology and love animals. Then I could do more education and outreach. It’s not enough to just work hard. I want to work smart. I want to build a brand for nature that is the antithesis of the lawn-care industry.

“One of the most difficult parts of starting and operating a new business, I find, is in finding committed help – go-getters and those also interested in thinking outside the box. I would really like to build a ‘family’ of loyal workers who are committed to changing the current landscaping paradigm and are willing to be involved with Native Return long-term — with a knowledge of natives, wildlife and are already up to speed with technology skills, to compensate for my lack of them!”

Christina insists she would welcome other businesses in the same field. “It’s not about making money; it’s about giving back the habitat we have taken away. If people would share their land with wildlife, many species would return. Animals can adapt to humans if we can adapt to them. I’m very determined to make this work. I feel like the wildlife is depending on me, and not just the wildlife here on my land, but everywhere.” Native Return’s ultimate goal is to use profits to purchase land to permanently set aside as protected wilderness for wildlife.

On her four-acre property, Christina has created five types of habitats — woodland, wetland, grassland, shrubland and ecotonal (i.e., transitional). She bought the land in 2000 and worked with architect Paul Macht to build a house that was spacious, open and in tune with its surroundings. She moved in in 2003. With lots of deck area and large windows everywhere, the house offers unobstructed views of the beautiful landscape. “I love it,” she says. “They’d have to pry me out of here.” The house is full of shells, plant and animal artifacts, minerals — everything having to do with nature.

“I had to post ‘No Trespassing’ signs,” says Binder, “because I kept finding bikers and hikers on my property. I need to have trails to conduct tours, and anyone who wants to see my gardens is certainly welcome to come and take a tour, but generally, I like to keep trails to a minimum because they fragment the land, as do fences. They’re both very hard on wildlife.”

A short list of the native wildlife on her property includes frogs, turkeys, deer, owls, hawks, geese, snakes, hummingbirds , butterflies, great blue herons, bats, raccoons, possums, groundhogs, foxes and flying squirrels. She has taken thousands of wildlife pictures, both at home and all over the world. Her favorite photos line the office wall, and her office window offers the perfect opportunity to study the local wildlife. Even with a degree in zoology, she says she’s always learning something new about the animals on her land.

“I always knew that deer traveled in family groups, but I see it first-hand right here. They come to my property because they know they’re safe. I’ve found a few dead ones with arrows in their haunches. They must have suffered terribly. As far as protecting my plantings from deer, I usually fence in new plants until they grow above the browse line and then remove the fence. Nothing is perfect, but we have to remember that humans created the deer problem; it’s not the fault of the deer. People should try to understand the plight of animals and put themselves in their place.”

At the time of our interview, Christina was getting ready to visit Ecuador, its rain forest and the Galapagos Islands. Her favorite foreign place to visit so far has been Botswana. “It was not yet heavily impacted by humans. They didn’t even know about invasive species there. I love to see places that are not yet fenced in.”

Growing up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where her dad was a physician, Christina’s parents taught her to appreciate nature. “I spent most of my childhood playing outside in the fields,” she said, “and I still spend most of my time outdoors. I’ve had Lyme disease four times. At the first sign of the symptoms, I just take an antibiotic, and I’m fine.” This is clearly a woman on a mission. And don’t let her catch you using any of those electronic “bug zapper” gizmos. “I hate them!” she says, “Birds need those bugs for food, especially the baby birds.”

On the domestic animal front, Christina presently has a dog, “Jackson,” a rescued stray from the streets of West Philly. She said she wanted to adopt a dog who had a hard life and really needed a home. She also has two indoor cats “Lexi” and  “Binky.”

When I asked Christina what Native Return had to offer Chestnut Hill residents, she said that even though homeowners on the hill tend to have formal gardens, she can create formality using native plants. “It’s not an all-or-nothing proposition,” she said, “and every bit of native planting helps. One of the smaller options we offer is a ‘patch’ garden, a healing patch on the earth. Varieties include ‘butterfly,’ ‘rain’ and ‘woodland’ gardens. The amount of fencing is minimal and doesn’t deter the flow of wildlife.

“Native gardening is easier, too. There’s little need to rake, water or even pull out dead plants. Stems from last year’s growth become homes for insects during the winter, and dead trees can provide critical habitat. Your backyard can attract all sorts of native wildlife. We recently did a project at a senior living center that brought butterflies right up to the windows for the residents to see and enjoy. Since gas prices have folks staying home more anyway, why not make home more enjoyable and entertaining?”