Hal Mann, co-editor of the Oak Openings Region chapter of Wild Ones, is urging local residents to plant native species in their yards to help protect the environment and support biodiversity.
“I urge you to plant the natives,” Mann said during a recent presentation at the Maumee Branch Library. “Do it yourselves, with your children, or even your grandchildren.”
Mann spoke to an audience of about 50 people at the event titled “Going Native: My Journey from Chemicals and Cultivars to Landscaping with Native Plants.” During the 60-minute session, he shared his personal journey of transforming his yard in Perrysburg from a small patch of plants into a thriving natural landscape. Over the years, he has been rewarded with sightings of native insects and birds feeding on the plants he has nurtured.
“The more I see, the more I’m convinced about the importance of planting native species,” Mann explained.
He emphasized that native plants are essential for the survival of local wildlife, including pollinators like bees, butterflies, and beetles. They provide food and habitat for these species, contributing to a healthy ecosystem.
Mann also highlighted the practical benefits of planting natives. Unlike non-native plants, which often require significant maintenance, native plants are low-maintenance, require little watering, and don’t need frequent mowing. Their deep root systems help retain rainwater, preventing it from carrying pollutants into rivers and lakes, and they can even help mitigate the effects of climate change by absorbing carbon.
The plants Mann discussed during his presentation included wild bergamot, false sunflower, wild violets, prickly ash, and American bloodroot, all of which are beneficial to local wildlife.
He explained that planting native species can help restore some of the ecosystem services that were once provided by woodlands, marshes, and swamps, which have been diminished over time.
“At one time, these natural landscapes offered us many ecological benefits,” Mann said. “By planting natives in my yard, I’m doing my part to bring some of those benefits back.”
Attendees, like Beverly Wolcott of South Toledo, found the presentation both informative and inspiring. “I was really looking forward to it, and it gave me the motivation to expand my efforts to plant more native species in my yard,” Wolcott said.
Karen Helmick from Ottawa Hills echoed this sentiment. She attended the event to learn how to improve her efforts in incorporating native plants into her landscaping. “The presentation was very helpful, and I appreciated how practical and insightful it was,” Helmick remarked.
The event was organized by the Maumee Environmental and Tree Advisory Commission and was part of a two-part series focused on invasive and native species. The first event, held on October 2, featured a discussion on invasive plants by LaRae Sprow from Metroparks Toledo and the Ohio Invasive Plant Council.
This series was made possible through the support of the Maumee Environmental and Tree Commission.
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