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iConserve PA Encourages Gardeners to 'Bring Home the Natives'

Posted on: Wednesday, 29 April 2009, 16:54 CDT

Homeowners Encouraged to Use Native Plant Species

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the arrival of planting season, the commonwealth is encouraging homeowners sprucing up their gardens to consider native species for their beauty, reduced maintenance when planted in the right spot, and the habitat they provide to birds and animals.

"Buying native plants to help with your landscaping projects--whether it's a small backyard, large lot or municipal park--can help Pennsylvania save the species that call the state home," Department of Conservation and Natural Resources acting Secretary John Quigley said. "The iConserve Pennsylvania Web site, www.iConservePA.org, offers a wealth of information about native plants, choosing what works best for your site conditions, and native plant sales throughout the state."

Launched in 2008, the iConserve Pennsylvania initiative encourages Pennsylvanians to make everyday efforts to conserve natural resources and share their stories to inspire others. This spring, iConserve Pennsylvania added a section to its Web site called "Bring Home the Natives" to help citizens understand the value of native plants.

Because Pennsylvania's native plants are meant to grow here, they thrive with less maintenance, thereby reducing the need to water and fertilize them. They also serve as pollinators, attract wildlife, and reduce other unwanted species. A native plant is one that occurred within the state before settlement by Europeans. More than 2,100 native plant species make up the botanical diversity of Pennsylvania.

The "Bring Home the Natives" focus on the Web site offers best bets to choose for four different types of landscape conditions - sunny/dry; shady/dry; sunny/moist; and shady/moist. The site features a searchable database of plants, publications for downloading, and suggestions on where to buy native plants. If you can't find the information you're looking for, you can submit a specific question about native plants to be answered online by a botanist.

"Citizens also can snap some digital photos of the natives in their garden and post them to us to be registered to win nearly $400 worth of garden tools from Ames True Temper, a Pennsylvania-based company and an iConserve partner," Quigley said. "The prize pack includes a wheelbarrow filled with loppers, pruners, shears, hand trowels, a hose, hose reel, and a whole lot more - 18 items in all."

DCNR is planting native gardens at six state parks this year as a way to educate visitors about the use and beauty of native plants. Templates of those gardens will we posted on the Web site in May so citizens can duplicate the gardens in their own backyards. The parks are Chapman, Codorus, Gifford Pinchot, Ohiopyle and Tyler state parks, and Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center.

Web site visitors to www.iConservePA.org also can subscribe to a free monthly electronic newsletter that will include fun facts and green tips. Also featured are simple commitments, next steps and lifestyle change ideas that can help anyone become familiar with conservation, grow their interest, and take action.

CONTACT: Christina Novak (717) 772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Source: PR Newswire

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