Species of Greatest Concern · Delaware
BeastiestoBesties
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An Illuminated Collection of Delaware’s 1,019
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Dear Fellow Delawareans,
What started as a planting project for pollinators turned into something more when I learned about Delaware’s 1,019 species of greatest concern. I found a long list of names with no faces to go with them. My art background kicked in and I got inspired. Now I’m wondering what would happen if you got inspired, too? Introducing Beasties to Besties, first edition. 1,019 very important reasons why it matters when we do one good thing.
Every Beastie needs a Bestie.
Delaware has 1,019. 🌻
Delaware is a small wonder with a diversity of ecoregions and micro habitats unique to our geography. The result is an abundance of native and migratory species that rely on the bounty of Delaware habitat.
Delaware’s 1,019 species are already sorted, by scientists, into dozens of taxonomic groups. We think of them as our kin, so just for fun we sorted them into twelve simple Clan groups — all you have to do is find the one that feels like yours.
Start with one, you may end up with more. From the iconic heroes like Monarchs and Horseshoe Crabs to the Beasties with faces only a Mother could love, every Beastie needs a Bestie to care about them.
Listen to their needs. Make their lives a little better. Could be adding a “snack to their lunchbox,” turning off that porch light you don’t need, or asking your HOA why the pickleball court lights are on at 3am.
Did you pick the beautiful Blue Mussel? Congratulations… You’re Clan Glimmer! Checkered White butterfly… lands you in Clan Gossamer. Clan Fin or Clan Beast? Drifter or a Wing?
Not sure where to start?
Once the whole Bestiary is filled in, we can start to look at how the species relate — and every connection points to another way to help. Here’s just one — who needs whom:
No crab eggs, no Rufa Red Knot. One little thread, and you can already see why the whole bay matters.
Cards, stickers, tea towels, tees, seeds and books — the same beasties, printed for every shelf.
coming soon
