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Spotlight - Why Just Plant Flowers When You Can Plant Natives!
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Spring has almost sprung and it's time to think about planting the garden and sprucing up the outdoors. This week PA Environment Digest puts the Spotlight on how you can learn about the advantages of landscaping with native plants.
iConservePA.org- Bring Home The Natives
The iConservePA.org website has launched its Bring Home the Natives campaign. Designed to promote awareness of and interest in planting native species, this new theme not only brings a vibrant new look to the web site, but also a bouquet of new information.
Your green thumb will tremble at the database of native species, four colorful publications about natives (based on site conditions), a listing of places where natives can be purchased, and much more. Best of all is the planting “wall."
Post a picture of your native plantings and you’ll be registered to win a garden tool prize package worth $400 from Ames True Temper. Dig-in, spread the word and get growing!
Sustainable Landscapes Conference
Learn about natural stormwater management, invasive species control, local sustainable agriculture, connecting children with nature, and a lot of other good ideas at the Sustainable Landscapes Conference, April1 at Founders Hall on the campus of the Milton S. Hershey School in Hershey.
A $31 registration fee covers meals, handouts, and carbon-offset credits – an affordable and environmentally-friendly gathering sure to better our horizons.Go here to register.
More Native References
When you think about open space, think first about your yard and the development where you live, if that development has green space. Consider how you can convert lawn to native grasses, shrubs and trees.
You have your opportunity to establish habitats for birds and butterflies! Those that have homeowner associations may find the going a little more difficult but there are groups and companies that can help you and everyone else.
Some groups to consider are The Habitat Resource Network of Southeast Pennsylvania, the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife program and the Audubon At Home Program.
A few companies to consider areYellow Springs Native Farm Native Plant Nursery in Yellow Springs and Redbud Native Plant Nursery in Glenn Mills.
Do not forget to read a great book on the subject:Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens, by Dr Doug Tallamy.
(References provided by Gerard Hertel, Forest Ecologist, Gordon Natural Area, Department of Biology, West Chester University.)
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3/6/2009 |
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