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	Invite Them In To get rid of destructive bugs in your garden, create habitat for the "good ones" and leave the pest control to the birds. One of the easiest ways to build and maintain a healthy ecosystem within your own garden is to use native plants to attract beneficial bugs, birds and other natural predators of pests. These animals are naturally on your side and will keep pest populations at bay so your flowers and vegetables can prosper. Chemical sprays tend to eliminate predators along with the pests. Unfortunately, once the spray wears off, the pests will return but the predators won't. There are a number of simple ways you can help nature do its job. Spined soldier bugs for instance, are easily trapped, stored and released into your garden. The natural predator of more than 100 different insect pests, soldier bugs protect plants by eating harmful insects while they are still in the larval state, which is when they cause the most damage to plants. For more information on homemade traps, visit BestGardening.com and for an extensive list of organic pest control suggestions, go to OrganicGardening.com.
	Perk Up Your Plants A cup of joe will chase away that "slug"-ish morning by giving your garden a wake up call. Every day in America, millions of people brew pots of coffee only to throw the used grounds in the trash. Don't let your coffee grounds go to waste! They're an excellent source of nitrogen for plants, and studies have shown that the caffeine may act as a repellant for slugs and snails. Keep in mind though, that coffee grounds are acidic and can burn very tiny transplants, so hold off on the strong stuff when plants are young. If you don't want to put them directly in the soil, coffee grounds can be added to compost piles, along with coffee filters and tea bags. But don't stop there! By drinking shade-grown coffee you can help protect the winter habitat of the same spring migratory birds enjoying the coffee-fed flowers in your backyard.
	Make It Official If you've been having a life-long love affair with wildlife, it's time to take the next step. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) encourages property owners to create a habitat conducive to wildlife survival in their backyards and can offer pointers to help with the process. Backyard habitats provide food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young and are effective ways of maintaining healthy ecosystems. You'll enjoy hours of wildlife watching from the comfort of your own lawn chair, surrounded by vibrant native plants, when you garden with conservation in mind. If you're impressed with your efforts, chances are the neighbors will be too. Backyards certified by NWF as official wildlife habitats are provided with, among other things, a sign to publicly acknowledge your efforts and help to educate others. For those who wish to increase their impact, schoolyards, workplaces and even entire communities are also certifiable.
	Stop the Invasion Reinforce the native plants of your area before they're overtaken by alien invaders. The ecosystem isn't big enough for all of them. Because invasive plant species can have serious and sometimes irreversible negative environmental impacts on native ecosystems, it's important to prevent them from establishing themselves in new areas and to remove those already present. The first step towards removing invasive plants is to identify them. The Nature Conservancy has created an Invasive Plant List wallet card that denotes top invasives by region. A further breakdown by state is available from eNature. Once you know what you're dealing with, you can plan the appropriate action. Replacing invasives with alternative natives is one of the best ways to restore balance to your local ecosystem. Techniques for removal are based on each plant's seed formation and dispersal cycle and vary from species to species. Removal isn't difficult, but it does require some care in order to avoid inadvertently spreading non-native seeds while removing the plant. There are also simple things you can do in your everyday life to stop the invasion of exotic plant life.
	Spruce Up Your Celebration Want to give your guests meaningful mementos? Surprise them with a tree; they make great party favors! The National Arbor Day Foundation's Gift Trees program has packaged the perfect gift for any occasion and one that, with proper mulching, will last for decades — evergreens! Also useful as favors at weddings or other special events, each sapling comes encased in its own 14-inch recyclable plastic tube, complete with planting and care instructions. You can even add a customized message to the label. Ordering is as easy as selecting the species native to your area and sending in your payment. From reducing the need to burn fossil fuels, to preventing erosion, to providing year-round wildlife habitat and creating the very oxygen we breathe, trees play an enormous role in maintaining the health of the planet. The Colorado blue spruce is the evergreen most commonly found throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. It's a member of the pine family, provides excellent windbreaks when planted in rows and is conveniently deer-resistant.
	Paint the Town Green Put on your best sunhat and grab your favorite pair of muck boots — we're going into town. Philadelphia Green is an extensive urban greening program of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). Building on the life-giving properties of horticulture, PHS hopes to develop and nurture connections between people, communities and the planet. Philadelphia Green offers many opportunities to become involved in education, restoration and beautification initiatives around the city, including becoming a Green Gardener. Only three easy steps are required to participate in the Philadelphia Green Gardener program; choose one of six locations, report to duty and spend an enjoyable morning gardening with other volunteers. Novice gardeners can hone their skills, those with moderate experience can discover new techniques and veterans can show off their expertise. All interested parties are welcome to lend a helping hand. To learn more about PHS and to become involved in some of its wonderful programs, visit its homepage.

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