Beyond the Garden

I love having native plants in my garden. Every moment that I can do so finds me slipping into the garden to find a beautiful flower, a hummingbird sipping on cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), an insect collecting food (or prey), and to listen to the sweet song of birds. As much as I love bringing these plants into my garden, I know there is a very important place for them to be as well.

Liatris spicata in South Georgia

Native plants need to be in their ecosystem. Great sections of woodlands, mountains, seashores, prairies, and every kind of natural ecosystem need to be preserved and conserved because their communities are so much more than just the plants.  Acres and acres turning into miles and miles of preserved land, the scope of what we need is as vast as it is varied.

A plant doesn’t live in isolation. Botanists and volunteers perform site surveys that measure the quantity and type of plants found within a measured plot as little as a square meter. Virgin areas can yield counts in the dozens – all different species. Compare that to your average yard where you have a tree circled by mulch and some non-native turf.

Rich biodiversity of plant species supports a robust and varied insect population. A healthy insect population balances itself (some insects keeping others in check) while also attracting and supporting more birds than suburban gardens could do alone.

Home of shoals spider lilies (Hymenocallis coronaria) in Middle Georgia

Conservation can also have other benefits (although what is better than helping our fellow earthlings survive and thrive) as well. Birding and other activities like fishing and hiking bring in big tourism dollars.

When The Nature Conservancy purchased the South Cape May Meadows Preserve in southern New Jersey in 1981, the goal was to protect an important natural system for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway. In a pleasant surprise, it turned out that protecting and restoring the habitat for birds also expanded local tourism revenues and reduced costs from storm damage.

By improving habitat and making the preserve more accessible, the restoration attracted many birders who would not otherwise have visited the county and played a key role in over $200 million in per year in new spending. Source

Here you can see that the benefit to protecting the shoreline from storms and erosion is another benefit. Protecting plants, insects, birds  - all while improving the local economy and preventing erosion! Who knew that nature could be so good for us?

A waterfall in North Georgia

The health benefits of being outdoors observing nature are being documented more strongly every day. There is special concern about how little time that children spend outdoors and what that means not only to their health but to their connection to the natural environment.

Land conservation allows more space to be available, often in expansive state and national parks, allowing citizens of all means to enjoy beautiful landscapes for a small entrance fee. Our first national park was designated in 1872. Georgia State Parks started in 1931 with Indian Springs State Park and Vogel State Park. It was the automobile that got people interested in going places like parks.

How can the ordinary citizen help protect more land? Here are a few ideas:

• Visit conserved places (state and national parks as well as private holdings) to show that you value what has been set aside. Your visit and your tourism dollars both support efforts to conserve habitat.
• Volunteer your time and efforts to help keep these areas clear of invasive plants or repair benches and walkways. Not sure if there are regular workdays? Just ask!
• Support legislative efforts to fund land purchases for conservation and become involved in efforts to lobby for more conservation.
• Teach others about the importance of conservation. That teenager that you spent time with exploring the natural world might become a future  botanist and make an important discovery.
• Money - your donations to conservation organizations large and small can make a difference in funding a staff member or buying land.

So while I love incorporating local native plants into my garden and I will absolutely continue to encourage others  to do so as well – let’s all take some time and some energy to support the efforts that conserve and preserve these wonderful plants in the plants where they were born.

Okefenokee view, South Georgia