4 minute read
Why Should You Plant Native? Let’s Dig In!
By Jenny Lynn Robinson, Digital Marketing and Communications Manager
The Colorado Desert spans nearly seven million acres, and in addition to being the home of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, is filled with a wide variety of unique species of plants and animals. Unfortunately, our desert’s native plants, animals, and the entire ecosystem, are being increasingly threatened by the negative impacts of invasive plants.
When left unchecked, non-native plants can become invasive by out-competing native ones for important resources like moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. This suppresses native species growth and harms the biodiversity and balance of that ecosystem.
Here in the Coachella Valley, non-native weeds like Sahara mustard and fountain grass, as well as trees like tamarisk, are outcompeting native plants. This can alter water flows, dry up streams and ponds, displace native plants, homogenize the landscape, and increase the risk of wildfires. In addition, the animals who depend on these native plants can find themselves without adequate food, shelter, and hydration.
To protect these delicate ecosystems and the desert species that live within them, The Living Desert has been at the forefront of protecting native plants here at the Zoo and across the Coachella Valley.
Over the past several years, our conservation team has led several local projects to restore native plant diversity in various threatened habitats, including projects to control water-hungry tamarisk trees in Salt Creek and spearheading native plant propagation for the Coachella Valley Preserve and Orocopia Mountains. The work of rebuilding threatened habitats is essential, but to support sustainable ecosystems long-term, we can’t do it alone.
And the good news is that you can also help protect native plants! If you have a yard or even a flowerpot, you can plant native species and provide additional habitats and food for native pollinators. By planting only native species, you also prevent the spread of nonnative plant seeds.
Remember that even small changes add up to make a big difference. Together, we can restore the desert, one plant at a time.
Join us for a Pollinator Plant Party!
April 10 - 23
The Living Desert is continuing and expanding upon our community conservation with an exciting new event, 10,000 Seeds: A Pollinator Plant Party, from April 10th – 23rd. During this event, members and guests of all ages are invited to help us plant 10,000 seeds and establish native pollinator gardens throughout the Coachella Valley!
These pollinator gardens will help restore fragmented urban ecosystems, provide critical habitat and food for threatened pollinators, and are drought resistant! Guests will have the opportunity to start their own pollinator garden by planting a local species to take home. (Not a green thumb? Don’t worry, you’ll get instructions on how to care for your new plant!)
Additional seeds potted during the Pollinator Plant Party will be propagated here at the Zoo and at various local community partners, such as community centers and libraries, where The Living Desert will steward each location to help them meet the requirements to become a certified wildlife habitat.
Then, on Saturday, April 22, the party will spring into action for Earth Day! Throughout the park, guests can join us to learn how to help promote a healthier planet through the choices we make. Fun for all ages, guests can participate in hands-on activities, meet with many of our local conservation partners, learn about sustainable options, attend themed keeper connections, and more.
This program is free for members or with paid park admission. Learn more and make your plans to join us at LivingDesert.org/10kSeeds.
