Native plants are foundational in ecosystems and crucial in supporting life on earth. Through photosynthesis, plants convert energy from the sun into forms that are usable for all other living things.
You are probably familiar with the iconic Monarch butterfly, whose caterpillars can only eat milkweed species. This relationship is not unique in the insect kingdom. Over millennia, native insects and butterflies have co-evolved with the plants that provide for them. Many species eat and reproduce only on specific plants – native plants.
Caterpillars and other insects not only provide the next generation of butterflies and beetles, but they are also the perfect food to grow the next generation of birds! Most birds feed their young insects, and caterpillars are a critical source of protein. It takes 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to raise a single nest of black capped chickadees! (Source)
Pollinators also depend on native plants for nectar and sustenance, and we humans depend on pollinators –
one out of every three bites of food we eat is the result of insect pollination.
But native plants do more than support native fauna. They clean pollution from the air, soil, and water around us. They slow excess storm water runoff which prevents flooding and soil erosion. Native plants have deep roots that pull carbon from the atmosphere and sequester it in the soil. Native trees cool our homes during summer and support life year-round. Native gardens are also beautiful. They represent our cultural heritage and create a unique sense of place. Getting outdoors and gardening also supports our mental and physical well-being.
More and more people are realizing what you plant matters. Studies show that we’re living in an increasingly residential world. Across the United States, more than 80% of the population lives in urban areas. Because of this, urban areas have an important role to play in biodiversity. Regardless of your location or footprint, you can welcome nature home by adding native plants to your landscape.
Plant a Garden Today!
