There is a growing divide in the modern gardening community: naturalize and embrace the wilder side of nature, or manicure and maintain a perfectly orderly lawn.
For Katharina Richter and Clark Koch, the homeowners of 254 Arthur St. S. in Elmira, the decision was simple. After purchasing their property years ago, they decided to transform their conventional yard into a thriving urban forest. Over the years, they have introduced a diverse array of flora, including sugar maples, yellow birch, butterfly weed and fly honeysuckle.
The decision was not driven solely by aesthetics. Instead, it represents a dedicated environmental effort that contributes directly to local climate resilience.
