An ecologist explains how to turn your garden into "national park"

Our ecosystems are in trouble.

Scientists warn we could be in the middle of the sixth mass extinction.

Because most land in the United States is privately owned, experts say we can't rely on national parks for conservation.

Doug Tallamy, an ecologist and professor at the University of Delaware, explains in his book Nature's Best Hope how conservation can start in your own backyard.

"A single person can be a piece in the overall puzzle of conservation," Tallamy tells Inverse.

1. Reduce the size of your lawn by half

Big lawns wreck habitat for insects, Tallamy explains. This hurts the rest of the ecosystem that depends on them.

To help, cut your lawn in half. This is an example of a bad, big lawn. ☝️

2. Grow "keystone" native plants.

Just 5 percent of plants support 75 percent of the food web, Tallamy says.

They're the "workhorses of our ecosystems."

Find your area's keystone native species with the Native Plant Finder tool online.

For example, a few keystone tree species in the Northeast are oak trees, wild cherry trees, and willows.

3. Reduce your light pollution

Artificial light messes with nature, especially insects. Instead:

- Use motion sensors in your lights

- Yellow LED bulbs are least likely to attract insects

These small changes could save billions of insects overnight, Tallamy explains.

4. Don't mow around trees

5. Stop using pesticides

6. Get rid of invasive species

Invasive means both non-native and harmful to the environment — often because they can spread rapidly.

They're often introduced as ornamental plants for gardens and landscaping.

If your yard has invasive plant species, the US Forest Service recommends you remove them and replace them with native plants that support the ecosystem.