Native plants are suited to a given ecosystem or region due to their natural evolution with little to no human intervention. Native plants support the biodiversity in their natural region better than exotic plants, that were introduced to the area from other parts of the world. Each type of plant has a different job in the ecosystem, and the native plants work well with the surrounding plants and wildlife. Without native plants, the local birds, mammals, and insects could not survive. Some things that you can do to help bring native plants to your backyard and remove any invasive plants. You could volunteer at Hundred Acre Hollows and help us preserve and restore the land for the native species. Lastly, you can learn more about the invasive and native species in your area and spread the word. Without native plants, our lives would not be the same as it is with them.

Benefits of Native Plants:

• Provide shelter and food to native wildlife, support native species, and attract native pollinators.
• Higher abundance of native birds, butterflies, and bees.
• Native plants serve as the foundation of healthy ecosystems.
• Native plants also require less water to survive and help control stormwater runoff.
• Native oak trees support over 500 different species of caterpillars.
• Once established, native plants require less fertilizer and pesticides because of their resilience to the climate, pests, and diseases in Florida.

References

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/Native_Plant_Materials/Native_Gardening/index.shtml

https://www.audubon.org/content/why-native-plants-matter