Chapter member and Franklin County Master Gardener Pat Claeys converted her quarter-acre property in Columbus for the benefit of native plants and wildlife. Are you wondering how you could too?
Her video “Creating a Front-yard Native Garden” illustrates one approach and focuses on the how and why of planting native plants to benefit insects, birds, and humans. Insects — which are an important source of protein for birds, especially baby birds — have declined 40% since the 1970s (NYC Bird Alliance). Over the same period, North American birds have declined nearly 30% (Cornell). Insects are also important to humans because they pollinate one of every third bite of our food (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA) and provide us with exceptional beauty.
By growing a few or a lot of native plants, you can help insects, birds, and humans.