Did you know that in 2019, Governor DeWine signed a bill in the law that designates April as Ohio Native Plant Month? The United Nations General Assembly has also designated 2020 as International Year of Plant Health!
These recognitions are based on the many benefits that native plants bring to all facets of our environment. Plants native to our region typically have deeper root systems that help stabilize our soils (less erosion) and uptake nutrients (fertilizers) and other contaminants before they reach our waterways. Increased soil stabilization and nutrient uptake can help to reduce the algal blooms we are unfortunately becoming so familiar with. Many of these plants are also vital to our pollinator community; think milkweed and monarchs.
Fortunately, there are (hopefully) going to be numerous opportunities to purchase native plants this Spring! The Oak Opening Region Chapter of Wild Ones provides a great list of plants sales for interested home and business owners; please visit this link. In the meantime, take a pledge about using native plants & increasing pollinator gardens at https://toledolakeerie.clearchoicescleanwater.org/.