Patrick Fitzgerald | 9/10/2019 | National Wildlife Foundation

When cities and communities consider what trees, shrubs and flowers to plant in parks, streetscapes and city landscapes, they primarily think about:

• Budget
• Beauty
• Low-Maintenance
• Fast Growth

Today, however, more and more communities are planting with a purpose: to help disappearing monarch butterflies, bees, songbirds and other wildlife and to reconnect their cities to the local ecosystem. These efforts are more important than ever in the U.S. as we work to combat the extinction crisis.

These three policy changes at the local level can transform urban and suburban landscapes to create meaningful habitat for wildlife.

1. Pass Native Plant Ordinances
2. Update Weed and Vegetation Control Ordinances
3. Designate No Mow Zones

To learn more about these three policy changes in detail view the entire article.

For more information about natives in NC visit Going Native and the NC State Native Plant Resources Page