Ohio Native Plant Month

If there was ever a time to “think globally and act locally,” this April stands out as a perfect opportunity! This year Ohio will be among the first states in the country celebrating a Native Plant Month, while the 50th anniversary of Earth Day is commemorated around the world.

House Bill 59, sponsored by Representative Scott Wiggam and signed into law last July, states: “The month of April is designated as ‘Ohio Native Plant Month’ to increase public awareness of Ohio’s native plants and the many benefits they provide to pollinators, Ohio’s economy, and the health of Ohio’s environment.” The Earth Day Network recognizes the importance native plants have in providing insects and birds with food, shelter and proper habitat to reproduce.

Here at The Wilderness Center, we’ve been championing native plants for years. Here’s how:

Controlling Invasive Plants
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, about 700 non-native plants occur in Ohio. These plants originated in other parts of the world and were introduced to our area by accident or on purpose. About 100 of these non-native plants have become invasive, causing problems in natural areas. These plants are especially good at out-competing the native plants and some can even create monocultures. Non-native plants do not support the diversity of wildlife that native plants do. Controlling invasive plants on Wilderness Center properties and surrounding communities helps to restore the balance of native plants. Our most important assets in conservation are volunteers and property owners who participate in land stewardship activities like pulling garlic mustard and cutting out tree of heaven and multiflora rose. Left unchecked these invaders reduce the diversity in both plant and animal species.

The Wilderness Center’s work on invasive plant management is based on mapping known populations of invasive plants and formulating a strategy for control and removal. Our work does not stop at the boundaries of our preserves. The Wilderness Center also works with the Lake Erie Allegheny Partnership for Biodiversity (LEAP), a consortium of organizations in northern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York with the goal of identifying, protecting and restoring biodiversity in our region.

Planting and Maintaining Pollinator Habitats
You’ve undoubtedly heard about declining bee, bird, butterfly and other animal populations in recent news. To support the health of pollinators like honey bees, native bees, and monarch butterflies, The Wilderness Center maintains about 37 acres of created tallgrass prairie that is excellent pollinator habitat. We’ve recently added additional acreage with funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Native Plant Sale & Gardening Seminars
Building on our long tradition of championing native plants, TWC received a grant in 1995 from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund to promote natural yard care and planting for wildlife which culminated in our Native Plant Sale & Gardening Seminars. In addition to creating valuable pollinator habitat, native plants require fewer fertilizers and pesticides than lawns, create deep root systems that help prevent erosion and even help reduce air pollution.

You can help make a difference by planting native species around your home. As of publish time, our Native Plant Sale has been postponed, but keep an eye on our social media channels as we determine how or when we will reschedule. We will also be joining together with our LEAP partners to share a Native Plant of the Day through social media each day in April. Check in to learn more about some of the beautiful native species of our state!

Restoration of Natural Areas
Thanks to your support, in addition to creating pollinator habitats, TWC is working hard to protect the health of our watersheds and aquatic ecosystems. In 2016, 800 linear feet of channelized stream were restored to their natural meander and the riparian buffers and wetlands surrounding them replanted with native plants. This year, an additional 1,200 linear feet of stream and surrounding land will be restored.