Why garden with kids? This is a question we are asked frequently a KidsGardening. My first response is to begin listing all of the many benefits gardens offer that contribute to a child’s physical, mental, and emotional health. From sensory activities that can provide emotional regulation to edible gardens that can increase a child’s willingness to […] Continue reading "Why garden with kids?"
Welcome to the second installment of the Native Plants for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet series. In the previous blog post, we explored how biodiverse native plants support chronic health by benefiting the immune system, respiratory health, and cardiovascular health. This edition focuses on the critical role of native landscapes in disease control, specifically […] Continue reading "Infectious Disease Control Through Biodiversity"
When Dave and Lynn Kirkpatrick moved into their new home in Northville, Michigan in 2000 with its oversized wooded lot, they immediately added junipers, hostas and daylilies, earning a subdivision gardening award. Continue reading "Member Garden: Lynn Kirkpatrick"
Across the United States, public gardens offer a gateway to understanding the ecological and cultural significance of plants. They serve as centers for conservation, education, and sustainable landscaping. Learn about the role public gardens play in conservation, education, and community engagement in this Q&A with horticultural education leader and advocate for native plants in both […] Continue reading "A Conversation with Matthew Ross on Public Gardens and Native Plants"
Transforming a yard with native plants attracts bees, butterflies, and birds, but what about toads? Discover how adding a pond and hiding spots finally brought toads to the garden. Learn tips to create a toad-friendly habitat, enhancing biodiversity and natural pest control. Read on for more! Continue reading "TOADally perfect: How to create toad habitat in your yard "
April's Native Plant News covers diverse ecological efforts across the U.S., including Continue reading "April 2024 Native Plant News"
April 21 through April 27, 2024, is National Volunteer Week – a celebration recognizing the profound impact of volunteers. This week emphasizes the spirit of collective effort and the personal benefits of volunteering, such as developing friendships and broadening a network of like-minded individuals, educational opportunities, physical exercise, and mental well-being- all while preserving biodiversity […] Continue reading "Rooted in Action: Celebrating Wild Ones Volunteers"
From a database of 37,000 monarch garden names, we learned what ideas and concepts people have about monarch gardens. Gardens were often named after the place they were located, family members, animals, or mortality. Beyond being creative and pun-filled, garden names provide an insight into how people connect with their gardens and monarch conservation. Continue reading "What’s in a name? Looking at the creative names gardeners give waystations."
The Native Plants: Healthy Planet & Healthy People series explores the importance of strengthening biodiversity resilience by protecting and restoring native plants and natural landscapes. This series seeks to channel biodiversity through a healthcare lens and examine its relationship with human chronic, acute, and mental health. If more people understand how entwined biodiversity is with human health, perhaps policy-makers will take biodiversity resilience more seriously. Continue reading "Mitigation of Chronic Health"
Celebrating a landmark achievement, Wild Ones has now united over 10,000 members in a shared mission to cultivate healthier ecosystems through native plants. This journey, from its inception to its pivotal role in the environmental movement, underscores the growing public commitment to ecological stewardship. The organization's evolution—fueled by educational initiatives, the rising tide of environmental consciousness, and a community-driven response to global challenges—reflects a profound shift towards sustainability. As Wild Ones continues to expand its reach and impact, this milestone is a testament to the collective commitment to a world where native plants and natural landscapes thrive in every community. Continue reading "Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow"