Native Plants
by Reilly McKay, Anna Snell, and Katelyn Wilson
Background
They are defined as plants that occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem or habitat with no human interference
Native plants are incredibly important for symbiotic relationships among other native wildlife.
Native plants thrive in the region they are found naturally - needing less watering and chemicals
Importance
Using native plants in landscapes prevent erosion and maintain air quality - their deep root systems hold the soil in place, as well as increase soil's water holding capacity and sequester carbon
Evolution has allowed them to adapt to their environments so they are resilient and stable
Native plants allow refuge for wildlife and promote biodiversity and support for local ecosystems
Implementation Plan- Increase Native Plant Population at SAP
The goal of our project is to increase the population of native plants at the SAP. This will increase biodiversity at the property and increase habitat for many native species, including important pollinators. Native plants are more efficient because they require less water and are well-adapted to the environment, making them resilient in periods of unusual weather etc. An increase in the population of pollinators at the SAP will likely increase the productivity of the farm and have economic benefits due to improved resource management.
Important steps:
Identify native plants (this could be a combination of wildflowers, grasses, and fruit trees etc.)
Plant populations at the SAP through the use of student environmental organizations, faculty, and volunteers
Monitor health of plant populations, pollinators present, and efficiency of the farm
Analyze results and determine what adjustments to plant species and populations are required for future success
Pawpaw
Facts:
Present during summer, blooms in spring
Grows up to 40 feet tall
Fruit is typically 2 to 6 inches long
Can be used in a variety of different culinary applications
High nitrogen feeder
Prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil
Serviceberry
Facts:
Fruit ripens from early to late summer
Grow to be 3 to 15 feet tall
Fruit is typically 1 to 3 inches long
Similar to blueberries
Prefers acidic or neutral soils, but will grow in alkaline soils
Sweetgrass
Facts:
Leaves smell sweet due to presence of coumarin
Often found in wet/moist biomes
Leaves can grow to lengths of 12-24 inches long
Known as "wiingashk" in Anishinaabemowin
Global
The UN Sustainable Development Goals address major issues that require urgent action across borders to combat the climate crisis and improve sustainability for people, the planet, and the economy. Native plants can provide green space in cities, reduce effects of erosion and pollution, aid in natural disaster prevention and recovery, and promote biodiversity. Therefore, native plants are an important aspect of combating climate change and environmental problems worldwide.
National
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) highlights the role of native plants in natural disaster and environmental issues prevention and recovery. This includes wildfire and drought prevention and recovery, invasive species, erosion, and preservation of intrinsic value. USDA and national park programs work to increase biodiversity through native planting at national parks, grasslands etc. and encouraging individuals to increase the biodiversity of their own backyards with native plants. One program is the National Seed Strategy which creates public and private partnerships to address the issue of native plants. This program focuses on research, land management, communication, and native plant species to improve environmental issues such as climate change, natural disasters, and invasive species.
Local
The Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) at GVSU hosts honey bees that are managed by the beekeepers club and staff within the sustainability department. Various ENS classes have considered the impact of partnering with the Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund to increase pollinator habitat on the property. By increasing native plant habitat at the SAP through community partnerships and student organization efforts, native pollinator populations will increase along with biodiversity at the farm. In addition, water management will improve because native plants require less water and farm productivity will increase as a result of pollinator populations increasing and increased availability of resources. Finally, native plant populations at the SAP provide an educational opportunity for students and staff alike to learn about the benefits of native plants.
Budget
Plant Seedlings: $200 ($8/plant)
Labor (Volunteers): $50 for refreshments
Maintenance: $100 for equipment updates
Miscellaneous: $150 (to increase plant populations as needed)
Total=$500
Why is this beneficial?
Native plants provide habitat for countless species including pollinators that are a key feature of ecosystems and food systems. In addition, native plants reduce the impact of climate change by providing rehabilitation after wildfires, improving riparian zones and wildlife habitat, and rebuilding previous mining sites. Native plants also offer intrinsic value and can increase green space which builds connection between people and nature.
People
Some native plants have cultural ties to the people inhabiting the land, such as the indigenous groups of the Americas. Pawpaws, serviceberries, and sweetgrass are prime examples of this. If these plants are lost, there will also be a loss in the language associated with describing these plants.
Planet
Native plants have a strong ecological role and promote biodiversity. Native plants have been growing in this region without problems until human interruption. Native plants also require less water, and other resources, because they are better adapted to their local regions.
Profit
Native plants are not often grown on the commercial scale, and so they can be difficult to procure. Being able to grow these unique plants would generate a good amount of buzz and income for the SAP, especially if pawpaws were grown. Native plants also require less maintenance, which will help reduce various costs.
Sources
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Palmer, Dara. Growing Serviceberries - Montana State University, Dec. 2018, www.montana.edu/extension/powderriver/documents/fruits/MT201821AG.pdf.
Puisis, Erica. “How to Grow and Care for Pawpaw.” The Spruce, The Spruce, 25 Jan. 2022, www.thespruce.com/pawpaw-plant-growing-guide-5200957.
Schiller, Nan. “How to Grow and Care for Pawpaw Trees.” Gardener’s Path, 3 Sept. 2023, gardenerspath.com/plants/fruit-trees/grow-pawpaw/.
“Earth Band Aid Stock Photos.” Dreamstime, www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/earth-band-aid.html. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
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“Serviceberries.” Ontario.Ca, 18 July 2014, www.ontario.ca/page/serviceberries.
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Sweetgrass Collection, Propagation, and Harvest, July 2014, www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/mipmctn12298.pdf.
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Marrone, Teresa. Wild Berries & Fruits: Field Guide, Minnesota, Wisconsin & Michigan. Adventure Publications, 2018.
The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund. BEE AND BUTTERFLY HABITAT FUND. (n.d.). https://www.beeandbutterflyfund.org/
Grand Valley State University. Beekeepers - Sustainable Agriculture Project - Grand Valley State University. (n.d.-a). https://www.gvsu.edu/sustainableagproject/beekeepers-43.htm
Grand Valley State University. Beekeepers - Sustainable Agriculture Project - Grand Valley State University. (n.d.-b). https://www.gvsu.edu/sustainableagproject/beekeepers-43.htm
Grand Valley State University. Native Plants - Groundswell Stewardship Initiative - Grand Valley State University. (n.d.). https://www.gvsu.edu/groundswell/native-plants-85.htm
Home. USDA. (n.d.). https://www.usda.gov/
National Seed Strategy: Bureau of Land Management. National Seed Strategy | Bureau of Land Management. (n.d.). https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/national-seed-strategy
U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Nps.gov homepage (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/
United Nations. (n.d.). The 17 goals | sustainable development. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Why native?. Wildflower Association of Michigan. (2024, January 27). https://wildflowersmich.org/why-native/
