Native plants help support Wisconsin’s ecosystems

Although there’s still snow on the ground in some parts of Wisconsin, it’s officially spring and one of the best parts of spring gardening, is adding native plants to an outdoor space. Native plants provide food for insects, birds, small mammals and other wildlife, and they’re beautiful, too.

Native plants can be purchased at sales hosted by local non-profit organizations and governments this spring. While most sales occur in May and June, some require orders in advance, that are due in March or April.

The following are simple steps to help get ready for native plant sales:

• Decide where and how much space to plant. Starting with a few square feet can be a big help to native pollinators. Adding plants like prairie blazing star creates a pop of purple, and appeals to pollinators like bumble bees and monarchs.

• Make a note of the sun and soil in the future native garden. Does it get more than six hours of sun? Will full sun plants thrive? Or, does it get less than four hours, and will be a better place for “shade” plants? Dig around in the site to find out if soil is dry and well-drained, mediumtextured or damp year-round.

• Select plants that match the site conditions and goals.

By planting native plants in an outdoor space, the entire ecosystem can be supported, by providing the most beneficial food for pollinators. Native plants come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes, giving endless options to create beautiful landscaping that suits individual style.

“Introducing native plants to your yard is a wonderful way to provide habitat for butterflies, bees, birds and other wildlife,” said Amy Staffen, DNR conservation biologist. “These sales by local organizations and Wisconsin native plant nurseries, offer an easy way to exercise your green thumb, whether you’re a beginner or more experienced gardener.”

Native plant sales are offered across Wisconsin this spring, as local non-profit organizations and governments host online preorders and in-person sales. Wisconsinites have a chance to buy plants in advance, while benefiting local organizations. While most sales occur in May and June, some require orders in advance that are due in March or April.

More information on native plant sales, native plant nurseries, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, how-to guidance documents, plant lists and more, is available at dnr. wisconsin.gov.

In addition, when working on income taxes this spring, consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Endangered Resources Fund. In Wisconsin, more than 400 wildlife species and 300 plant species are endangered, threatened or declining.

A few examples of the species that have benefited from donations to the Endangered Resources Fund, include the following:

• Eastern prairie fringed orchid – Wisconsin has 48 species of native orchids, and the eastern prairie fringed orchid is one of the rarest. Tax form donations help staff train volunteers to check on this rare plant’s populations and help DNR crews manage state natural areas, to protect the habitat these plants need.

• Bald eagle – Over the last 50 years, bald eagles made an amazing comeback in the state. A combination of the national ban on the pesticide DDT, added state and federal protections, river clean-ups under the Clean Water Act, DNR nest monitoring and protection, and donations to the Endangered Resources Fund, made it possible.

• Rusty-patched bumble bee – The first bee to be declared a federal endangered species, the population of rusty-patched bumble bees in the United States, has dropped by almost 90 percent. Wisconsin is home to the largest number of known populations. Volunteers and DNR biologists, with support from donations, are aiding the protection of this special native pollinator.

• Little brown bat – These voracious eaters of mosquitoes and agricultural pests are an essential part of Wisconsin ecosystems, but have been decimated by white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease of hibernating bats. Donations help DNR bat biologists assist partners in conducting the first vaccine trials in the wild, to help bats fight white-nose syndrome, monitor populations and conduct other research, to guide recovery actions.

Donations also help the DNR control invasive species and conduct other activities, to maintain hundreds of state natural areas, protecting unique landscapes and natural features. These special places also provide refuge to 75 percent of Wisconsin’s endangered and threatened wildlife species, and 90 percent of endangered and threatened plant species.

To donate, look for the “Donations” line on a Wisconsin income tax form. “Endangered resources” is listed in Schedule 3, Part 1a, for resident and part-year/non-resident forms.

A tax preparer can also be notified of an intended donation to the Endangered Resources Fund. Donations to the Endangered Resources Fund are tax-deductible and matched dollar for dollar.