What is a native plant, exactly?
Native plants are those that have a co-evolved history with the environment and other organisms in a region. This is a somewhat difficult definition to put into practice, but it is useful in capturing what is most meaningful about native plants - their relationship with the environment and other native organisms. From a practical perspective, people often consider species that were present in North America when Columbus arrived (i.e. 1492) to be native plants (to North America of course).
What is an invasive plant?
Invasive plants are weeds. The term is usually reserved for non-native plants (intentionally introduced or accidentally escaped from other regions) that are capable of rapid population expansion and/or are associated with negative impacts.
Why use native plants?
Native plants are good for our communities as well as our environment. Using native plants produces direct benefits by supporting native foodwebs and creating local/regional jobs. Using native plants also reduces the negative impacts associated with non-native plants including their greater carbon-footprint and increased risk of spreading weeds, pests, and disease.
Cultivating a Native Plant Ethic.
Shop local. Buy local. Grow local. Eat local. Plant local.
Apart from the last, the preceding are phrases that have recently entered our common lexicon. All are phrases meant to help us draw attention to, and reflect upon, the impacts of our consumer activities. Who is impacted by my purchase? Am I supporting the fair treatment of workers? What is the ecological impact of my purchase in terms of fossil fuels used, water polluted, pesticide applied? Asking these questions leads some of us to support local farmers (Community Supported Agriculture), local artisans, and local businesses. (Of course local does not have to be synonymous with more ethical, but there are enough practical correlations between the two that usually makes one a useful guide for the other).
It is time to adopt this type of mindful approach of interacting with our local landscapes. In 1949 Aldo Leopold argued for a Land Ethic. Leopold encouraged humanity to be mindful of our interactions with the environment. Using local native plants is part of this larger Land Ethic.
There are many benefits of using local native plants:
Apart from the last, the preceding are phrases that have recently entered our common lexicon. All are phrases meant to help us draw attention to, and reflect upon, the impacts of our consumer activities. Who is impacted by my purchase? Am I supporting the fair treatment of workers? What is the ecological impact of my purchase in terms of fossil fuels used, water polluted, pesticide applied? Asking these questions leads some of us to support local farmers (Community Supported Agriculture), local artisans, and local businesses. (Of course local does not have to be synonymous with more ethical, but there are enough practical correlations between the two that usually makes one a useful guide for the other).
It is time to adopt this type of mindful approach of interacting with our local landscapes. In 1949 Aldo Leopold argued for a Land Ethic. Leopold encouraged humanity to be mindful of our interactions with the environment. Using local native plants is part of this larger Land Ethic.
There are many benefits of using local native plants:
- supports native food webs
- reduces transport of pests and diseases
- reduces spread of weedy invasive plants
- improves integrity and sustainability of local landscapes
- benefits local nurseries, creates local jobs
- reduces carbon-footprint associated with plant propagation and distribution
Where do I start?
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Many resources are available in kickstarting your journey to sustainable native plant landscaping. University extensions, state conservation agencies, and native plant societies all offer guidance on the subject.
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Plantnative.org: How to Naturescape
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PSU Extension: Friendly Landscaping
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Where do I find native plants?
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The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources currently maintains a list of active native plant nurseries around the state:
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PA DCNR Native Plant Nurseries List
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How can I help?
Coming Soon
