Spring Into Ohio's First Native Plant Month
Along with a state bird, flower, tree, fruit, Ohio now has its first native plant month! What's even better, is that it is here. That's right, April has now been officially designated as Ohio Native Plant Month.
On June 27, 2019 Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio House Bill 59 into law, which designates April as “Ohio Native Plant Month.” This is due in large part to efforts made by Former First Lady of Ohio, Hope Taft and Horticulturist, Nancy Linz. This law has been enacted to increase the awareness of Ohio’s native plants and the benefits they provide to our health, wildlife, environment, and economy. Plants, even small ones, have large impacts regarding stormwater, pollination of plants and crops, honey, carbon uptake, oxygen output, pollution reduction, food and shelter for wildlife, landscaping/aesthetics, and soil health. Ohio is one of the first states in the country to dedicate an entire month to its native plants.
On March 31st look for our announcement on Ohio Native Plant Month and the importance of these plants. Then starting on April 1st Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District's (SWCD) facebook page and other members of the Lake Erie Allegheny Partnership (LEAP) will promote a different native plant each day. Each post will feature photos and a LEAP fact sheet for that specific plant.
If you would like to help celebrate Ohio Native Plant month by creating habitat in your own yard, April is the perfect time to do this and Cuyahoga SWCD is here to help you out. You can purchase native plant seed kits for all types of environments on our website. We've got it all from sunny to shady areas, dry to wet soil, etc. and you can order themall year long, not just in April.
You don't have to have a yard to have native plants either. Check out some native plant sales or nurseries and try potting them on your porch, balcony, or deck.
Happy 1st Ohio Native Plant Month.
Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District staff work to implement programs and practices that protect and restore healthy soil and water resources. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: at "cuyahogaswcd" and on YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCWvI3DtNisjhJe64jKiS9Cg
Author: Kelly Parker, Cuyahoga SWCD Stormwater Specialist
To read Kelly's full blog: https://www.cuyahogaswcd.org/blog/2020/03/24/spring-into-ohios-first-native-plant-month
Additional Resources:
https://www.cuyahogaswcd.org/programs/native-seed-tree-and-plant-kit-sales
https://www.cuyahogaswcd.org/programs/rain-gardens-and-native-plants
Elizabeth Hiser
Kelly Parker, Stormwater Specialist working out of Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District office.