Although some plant species are doing very well around the world (sometimes to the point of becoming invasive), other species are losing ground. In some cases there are focused recovery plans, but oftentimes the issue of habitat loss trumps our best efforts to sustain these populations. So how can we contribute to both habitat availability and species longevity? Luckily for us there are many ways to get involved.
Have some spare time on your hands?
- Help a botanic garden maintain space for plant propagation, for example at the Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Texas, Lotusland in California, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, or the Bok Tower Gardens in Florida
- Become a preserve steward to monitor the remaining wild habitat of certain species- the Friends of Plant Conservation in North Carolina have one program and the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance has other opportunities
Keeping an eye for plant species while you do other things outside?
- The MA Dept. of Energy and Environmental Affairs wants to hear about any rare plants you find
- The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center wants you to watch for invasives and could use your help collecting seeds of specific plants
Have a little land of your own to work with?
- Both Lotusland and the Center for Plant Conservation have suggestions for gardening practices
- Consider using native plants in your gardens- you can get ideas from the US Botanic Garden’s Landscape for Life program, Missouri’s Grow Native! program for prairie plants, and Grow Native Massachusetts
Whether you have time or space or both, you can make a contribution to plant conservation. Consider volunteering or gardening or just paying attention to the species you see in the wild. Sometimes, unless they are flowering or fruiting or grabbing at us with thorns, we don’t always notice each of the plant species around us, but each one is an important part of its ecosystem- we can all play a role in making sure that they continue to do so.