I’ve been reading in The Day, “New London conservationist takes blight appeal case to hearing,” (Aug. 30), about my New London neighbor Maggie Redfern, and her next door neighbor who says Ms. Redfern’s yard is unkempt; at least by the neighbor’s standards.

Redfern is a Connecticut College professional, who oversees the college’s beautiful Arboretum. She is doing what all of us should be doing in our yards, providing an environment for any insects, birds or other wildlife that need a refuge from manicured yards.

Admittedly, most of us in New London don’t try to present the perfect green patch of lawn of yester-year. But many of us, myself included, have not yet caught up to providing flying insects and birds with everything possible to give them the greatest welcome.

I hope the town does not punish Redfern for her bio-friendly garden. Instead (noting that she is an educator), it would be great if New London could ask Redfern to offer residents classes on how to improve our yards to provide a welcoming refuge for the natural world.

I’m seeing fewer bees and butterflies this year – partially, perhaps, a result of global warming but maybe also because my garden is not as welcoming as it could be.

Dottie Nauer

New London

Editor's note: New London ruled that Redfern was not in violation of the blight ordinance.