A new interactive experience invites people to see their yards—and what’s possible—through a different lens
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2026
Homegrown National Park (HNP) announced the launch of Living Lens, a new partnership with ContemPlay. The experience showcases real spaces where native plants are already supporting wildlife.
Living Lens connects people with real gardens, yards, and community spaces where native plants are already supporting wildlife. Through an interactive experience with ContemPlay, participants engage with these spaces in a more intentional way—discovering how small changes at home can create habitat and support the wildlife around them.
“Living Lens is about helping people slow down and really see what’s right in front of them,” said Amy Gulden, Co-Founder of ContemPlay. “When you take a closer look at these spaces, you start to notice the life they support—and that shift in perspective is often what leads to action.”
“This project is about helping people recognize that every space planted with native plants is unique and beautiful in its own way,” said Tim Snyder, Executive Director of Homegrown National Park. “When you really look, you start to see what’s possible. We hope this inspires people to start at home—adding native plants, creating habitat, and supporting the wildlife around them.”
Many of the featured landscapes come from local businesses with a deep commitment to planting native and supporting wildlife. Backyard Bounty, based in the Washington, D.C. area, will be among the first highlighted partners, with their work featured in late April and early May. Their landscapes demonstrate how thoughtful design and native plants can transform everyday spaces into thriving habitats.
“Every project we do is about creating habitat that supports wildlife,” said Edamarie Mattei, Founder of Backyard Bounty. “Being part of Living Lens helps more people see what’s possible in their own yards and take that first step at home.”
Living Lens reflects a shared belief between Homegrown National Park and ContemPlay: that meaningful change starts with how we see—and what we choose to do next.
At home, small actions matter. Adding native plants and removing invasive plants helps create habitat that supports birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. When more people take these steps where they live, the impact grows across communities.
By pairing real-world examples with guided reflection, Living Lens helps people connect inspiration to action—making it easier to imagine, and then create, their own native plant spaces.
New Living Lens experiences are released weekly, with opportunities for ongoing engagement and reflection.
To explore Living Lens, submit a photo, or get involved, visit: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/living-lens/
ABOUT HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARK
Homegrown National Park catalyzes people to plant native and remove invasive plant species at home and in their communities—one of the most impactful actions anyone can take to restore and protect the natural habitats that support all life.
Grounded in the science of renowned ecologist Doug Tallamy and co-founded with Michelle Alfandari, Homegrown National Park demonstrates how restoring native plant communities supports the insects, birds, and other wildlife that keep ecosystems—and people—healthy. This work is essential to safeguarding the natural systems we all depend on: clean air and water, food production, and climate stability.
Through our Biodiversity Map and practical tools, we support individuals, organizations, and communities in taking meaningful, science-backed actions as part of a growing, collective movement to make native habitat restoration mainstream.
Learn more at: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
Media contact:
Jessie Eagan
Communications Coordinator
jessie@homegrownnationalpark.org
317-488-7349
ABOUT CONTEMPLAY
ContemPlay creates experiences that invite people to pause, look closely, and find meaning in what they see.
In a world built for speed and distraction, ContemPlay offers a different kind of engagement—one that is mindful, playful, and grounded in reflection. Participants are guided to slow down, notice more, and share their own perspectives, turning everyday content into something more personal and memorable.
Originally inspired by in-person facilitation practices, ContemPlay helps people move beyond quick reactions to deeper observation and connection—creating space for curiosity, insight, and shared understanding.
Learn more at: https://contemplay.ai
Media contact:
Randy Ramusack
CEO & Co-Founder
randy@contemplay.ai
+1 917 816 3192
ABOUT BACKYARD BOUNTY
Backyard Bounty is a Washington, D.C.-area landscaping company focused on creating outdoor spaces that support wildlife through the use of native plants. Their work helps homeowners turn everyday yards into thriving habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.
Learn more at: https://backyardbounty.net
Media contact:
Kris Colby
kris@backyardbounty.net
+1 240 676 8223