Wildr Joins Margaret Roach on ‘A Way to Garden’
Gardening is changing. More and more, homeowners are asking a new set of questions: What plants support birds? Which flowers feed native bees? How can my yard become part of the solution to the biodiversity crisis?
Those questions were at the heart of Wildr's recent conversation with Margaret Roach on A Way to Garden. Joanna Hall, CEO of Wildr and PLAN it WILD, discussed how years of watching PLAN it WILD implement ecological landscapes through led to the creation of Wildr—a free, personalized platform that helps homeowners confidently take the next step in their own ecological journey.
What began as PLAN it WILD's Less Lawn, More Life campaign has grown into a national movement, reaching more than 10 million people and inspiring thousands of homeowners to rethink what their landscapes can be. Wildr builds on that momentum by translating ecological science into simple, personalized action. Users receive a science-backed Wildr Score that measures the ecological health of their property, along with tailored recommendations for native plants, invasive species management, habitat features, and seasonal stewardship based on where they live.
The conversation also highlighted an important distinction: while tools like iNaturalist and Seek help people discover and identify nature, Wildr helps people create more of it. Rather than simply observing wildlife, homeowners can understand which native plants will support butterflies, moths, specialist bees, birds, and other species in their own ecoregion, turning every yard into an opportunity for ecological restoration.
Throughout the interview, Joanna emphasized a philosophy that has guided both PLAN it WILD and Wildr from the beginning: progress over perfection. Ecological gardening isn't about replacing an entire lawn overnight. It's about taking one meaningful step after another—planting a native shrub, removing an invasive species, adding a water source—and watching nature respond.
As the conversation concluded, another idea emerged that perfectly captures Wildr's mission: restoring nature doesn't just transform landscapes—it transforms people. By making ecological stewardship approachable, personal, and even fun, Wildr is helping cultivate a new generation of gardeners who see their landscapes not simply as gardens, but as living ecosystems capable of making a lasting impact.