AS A PROFESSOR at the University of Delaware, Douglas Tallamy shares the intricacies of entomology with insect lovers on the cusp of scientific careers. His work extends much further, too, in the books and lectures that he crafts for nature-loving layfolk. Tallamy advocates for gardens and landscapes that support all members of the eco-system, starting, quite necessarily, with bugs.
SCOTT BEUERLEIN: When your first book, the seminal Bringing Nature Home, was published, did you have any idea of the impact it would have?
DOUG TALLAMY: I had no clue what was about to happen. I didn’t think anyone would read BNH, that my attempt to dabble in book writing was over and life would return to normal.
SB: Almost immediately, you became a top speaker at horticultural conferences. Do you have any idea how many talks you’ve given, cities you’ve visited or miles you’ve traveled?
DT: I have given close to 100 talks per year for the last 10 years. From Seattle to Miami and Portland, Maine, to San Diego. The only states I have not been invited to have been North Dakota and Idaho.
SB: What are you working on now?
One of the things I spend a lot of time on is answering questions via email. A year ago, I decided to write
