Why use
Native Plants?
Native Plants help Birds, Bees and Butterflies
Wildlife is in decline all around the world. Extinction rates are reaching proportions similar to when dinosaurs vanished some 65 million years ago. The cause is clearly the result of decisions we humans have made. Farms and cities were not conceived with the interests of nature in mind. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In typical suburban landscapes non-native ornamentals widely used. Plants are the foundation of the food chain. They make all animal life possible. Insects are the dominant herbivores in all landscapes. But 90% of all species of insect herbivores depend exclusively on plants that they evolved with over hundreds of thousands of years. When non-native landscapes exclude these herbivores, the food chain is broken. Without insects, birds are unable to feed. While many birds thrive on seeds, berries and other food sources 96% of land-based birds rear their young primarily on insect caterpillars.
In typical suburban landscapes non-native ornamentals widely used. Plants are the foundation of the food chain. They make all animal life possible. Insects are the dominant herbivores in all landscapes. But 90% of all species of insect herbivores depend exclusively on plants that they evolved with over hundreds of thousands of years. When non-native landscapes exclude these herbivores, the food chain is broken. Without insects, birds are unable to feed. While many birds thrive on seeds, berries and other food sources 96% of land-based birds rear their young primarily on insect caterpillars.