Planting native plants "helps restore natural processes, rather than compete with them," including encouraging native pollinator and other insect populations. "Choosing native plants beautifies yards and other spaces, supports nature's web of life, manages stormwater, stores carbon, and improves soil health." (GrowNative, n.d.)

"Native plants attract colorful butterflies and other flying insects, such as bees, that forage for nectar and pollen from the flowers and are essential for pollination and thus the production of many fruits and seeds." (GrowNative, n.d.)

"Children benefit from spending time in nature [...] including [having] increased attention, greater physical activity, and more complex use of language and improved social skills. ... By using native plant species for wildlife at our schools - and our homes - we can offer our children a teaching garden in the best sense of the word. A landscape of native plants is a place where the ongoing intricacy of the natural world can teach its own lessons, both subtle and bold, to the curious minds it engenders." (Sullivan, n.d.) "Because native plants have learned to survive over long periods of time, native plant gardening can help children feel a part of nature, rather than trying to control it." (Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center staff, 2008)

Creating pollinator-friendly community ecosystems is a group effort that has the power to bring different groups of people together. We strive to make the prairie and gardens a hospitable and enjoyable place of learning for all at Givens and the surrounding community. Pollinator Paradise is also currently an area of participation in the Shutterbee backyard bee study. Since the garden is easily accessible, it has the potential for use in other scientific studies.