Native plants nurture wildlife, offer pleasure

April 29-May 5 is Native Plant Appreciation Week in Idaho.

We are fortunate to live in an area with such an exceptional diversity of beautiful native plants and trees. Species are representative of the West Coast, the Rocky Mountains and the forested mountains of Canada.

Besides bringing us pleasure, this diverse food supply nurtures the wildlife we love — moose, bear, mountain goats and birds that make their homes from high in the mountains to down on our lakes. Some of our native plants feed us as well; huckleberries are a universal favorite.

It is easy to think that the native trees, meadows, brush and ground covers that we see are ordinary because they are profuse. We clear them for homes, lawns and gardens.

We introduce plants that out compete them; over 80 percent of woody invasive weeds in the United States were introduced as garden plants. The plants we substitute often require a lot of water, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides to thrive.

The native plants grow where the water, soil and climate provide what they need. They filter the water that runs into our streams and lakes. Some are scarce and must be sought carefully; others are abundant.

Their flowers grace our roadways in the spring time and their lovely colors and shapes make this season a delight along our trails.

The Kinnikinnick Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society invites you to join us in enjoying the springtime splendor of our native plants. Attend our free public monthly meetings.

For details of any local native plant activity, check our Web site at www.nativeplantsociety.org. Appreciating our native plants is as easy as a walk in the woods.

CAROL JENKINS

Program Chairwoman

Kinnikinnick Chapter Idaho Native Plant Society