Backyard Conversation
Connecting Community + Conservation
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Welcome to the Backyard Conversation! Each month we'll be sharing a conservation topic from a more personal viewpoint for our readers. To make this successful, I want to hear feedback from you! I'll include a poll at the bottom regarding our topic and share links to some of our partner organizations with similar messages. So, let's get to it! |
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Happy Earth Month!
Ohio Native Plant Month, Volunteer Opportunities & More
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Happy Earth & Ohio Native Plant Month! Spring is here, native plants are emerging, and there are so many volunteer opportunities and events this month. Let's chat about native plants and their benefits for water quality and wildlife.
Why Choose Native Plants
Native plants are plants that are indigenous to our area. These plants were already here in Ohio, naturally occuring, before European Settlers arrived and disrupted the ecosystem with imported plants.
Ohio native plants have been here for many, many years and have adapted to our climate and environment over time. As a result, they are very resilient and easy-going once established.
In addition to resiliency, native plants are incredibly beneficial for water quality. They have deep, extensive root systems that work to capture water for the plant's growth. Non-native plants and annuals do not compare to native plant roots. See the graphic below!
They also have incredible ecological benefits for our native wildlife and pollinators including bees, butterflies, moths, and birds. Again, because they are adapted to our environment, wildlife have adapted to depend on these plants for food, shelter, or even reproduction. Many wildlife species are dependent on a select one or few species in order to survive.
The classic example of this is the monarch butterfly and milkweed. The Monarch has to lay eggs on milkweed for the larvae to eat. Without milkweed, the Monarch cannot complete it's life cycle and survive. In particular, Common Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, and Butterfly Weed are all native to Ohio and commonly available.
In fact, there are lots of native plants that are considered "keystone species" that are critical to many different species - not just one. For example, just one Black Oak can support 436 caterpillars! Learn more about keystone species in our region from the National Wildlife Federation here.
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Where to Buy Native Plants
Native plants are becoming more commonly available for purchase, but it can still be difficult to find them in big box stores and large retailers. However, there are even native plant specialty stores and businesses in Central Ohio that specialize in native plants.
Native plant specialty stores:
Local garden centers and nurseries carrying native plants:
Don't see any natives at your favorite garden center? Tell the store you want them to carry natives!
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Community Backyards: Get a Rebate for Native Plants!
Our annual Community Backyards rebate program kicks off this month! Workshops start with the Dublin workshop on April 3, and the online course will open on Friday April 19 @ 12pm. Anyone can take the course (online or in-person) to learn about native plants plus composting, rain barrels and rain gardens. Plus, residents of participating municipalities can receive a voucher for a rebate. Eligibility depends on where you live. Limit one voucher per household per year, but you can participate once every year!
Our workshops are open to everyone! You are welcome to attend a workshop in a different community than where you live. Find dates and sign ups here.
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Conservation Stewardship Fundraiser
For Earth Month, consider donating to our Conservation Stewardship Fund! The purpose of the Conservation Stewardship Fund is to raise money for the implementation of conservation projects that improve water quality. While focused on water quality and rainwater runoff, these projects will also benefit wetlands, forestry, carbon offsets, pollinators, native plants, and bird populations throughout Central Ohio. The Conservation Stewardship Fund is the funding source for our annual mini grant program, which funds projects implemented by local nonprofits that improve soil and water resources in Franklin County.
One of the projects funded via the Conservation Stewardship Fund Mini Grant last year was the Miles House Garden Project by Netcare. Netcare provides specialized mental health and substance use crisis servces for Franklin County adults. The Miles House in Hilltop is transitional housing for healing between the transition from facility admission to independent living. More than half of Miles House admissions struggle with housing problems. With the Mini Grant, they installed native plants and trees to provide an outdoor oasis and programming space for patients while providing food and habitat for wildlife and reducing stormwater runoff.
The Conservation Stewardship Fund is set up through the Columbus Foundation. To donate, click the button below.
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Upcoming Events
It will be one busy spring! Check out these events from the District and our partners happening in the next month.
Community Backyards Workshops
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Upper Arlington - Saturday April 6, 10:30am-11:30am @ Upper Arlington Library Tremont Road Branch, during Upper Arlington Library's Sustainability Fair
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Canal Winchester - Saturday April 20, 10am-11:30am @ Canal Winchester Community Center
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Bexley - Sunday May 5, 12pm-1:30pm @ Bexley City Hall
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Better Lawn Care Practices with OSU - Saturday May 11, 10am-12pm @ OSU Controlled Environment Agricultural Research Center
Community & Volunteer Events
Saturday April 6
Friday April 12
Saturday April 13
Sunday April 14
Saturday April 20
Sunday April 21
Saturday April 27
Sunday April 28
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Join Franklin SWCD's staff and partners on the afternoon of May 22 to celebrate the completion of our H2Ohio wetland grant at our Hellbranch Meadows property. This site also contains a 319 Stream Restoration Project that visitors can view. These two restoration projects help reduce excess stormwater and stormwater pollution from reaching Big Darby Creek through the Hellbranch Run tributary. |
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Hellbranch Meadows Restoration Celebration
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LOCATION
800 Murnan Road Galloway, Ohio 43119
DATE AND TIME
05/22/24 1:00pm
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05/22/24 3:00pm
Join staff and partners to see our completed Hellbranch Meadows Restoration Project!
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Yardening Tips from Lonnie the Garden Gnome
Consider these April "yardening" tips.
- April showers bring May flowers! Please stay out of flood waters and pay attention to detours.
- Don't prune flowers and stems until temperatures are consistently 50 degrees. Beneficial or endangered insects may still be resting in your garden and inside the stems of plants when it is below 50 degrees. Wait until temperatures are above 50 degrees for about a week to allow the beneficial critters time to wake up from their winter slumber and move out for the spring.
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Do you have native plants at home?
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Get the Scoop from Nature Scoop
Want to learn more about backyard conservation, pollinators, and more? Read the latest edition of the monthly newsletter Nature Scoop by Toni Stahl, National Wildlife Federation Habitat Ambassador.
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Mikaela Mohr
Outreach Program Specialist
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
1404 Goodale Blvd. Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43212
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