On August 10, Adam Arendall spoke to children and their parents about the crucial role native plants play in our Florida environment. Children had an afternoon of fun with lawn games, and a native plant and fauna coloring book, and enjoyed a snack of crackers and jam made from native Florida berries.
Native plants provide a wide range of benefits for species of all kinds. They provide food in the form of nectar for pollinators including hummingbirds, native bees, butterflies, moths, and bats, and native nuts, seeds, and fruits produced by these plants offer essential foods for all forms of wildlife. They also provide protective shelter for many mammals from squirrels to raccoons and possums.
Did you know that native species are adapted so well in Florida, that many butterflies and moths, including the iconic monarch, swallowtails, tortoiseshells, and beautiful blues, are all dependent on very specific native plant species? Not every butterfly can lay eggs on just any plant, and not every caterpillar can munch on any stalk!
Because native plants are adapted to local environmental conditions, like rain, they require far less water, saving time and money, and water. Native plants have deep root systems, which can slow down runoff, reduce soil erosion, and absorb polluted water before it reaches our waterways.
Native plants are great for your yard! They can attract beneficial insects and animals to your property which can offer pest control and help to pollinate your flowers or crops, while looking beautiful themselves. The traditional suburban lawn, on average, has 10x more chemical pesticides per acre than farmland. By choosing native plants for your landscaping, you are not only helping wildlife, but you are creating a healthier place for yourself, your family, and your community. Once established, native plants generally require little maintenance.
Keystone Species and the Wildlife They Support
- Native Oaks, 300+ caterpillar species
- Native Prunus, 300+ caterpillar species
- Native Birch, 200+ caterpillar species
- Native Maples, 200+ caterpillar species
- Native Goldenrods, 70+ caterpillar species, 50+ specialist bee species
- Native Sunflowers, 50+ caterpillar species, 80+ specialist bee species
- Native Asters, 50+ caterpillar species, 80+ specialist bee species
- Native Rudbeckia, 10+ caterpillar species, 30+ specialist bee species
Adam Arendell
Adam Arendell has been a lifelong lover of the natural world. With a deep-rooted passion for plants, Adam has dedicated a significant part of life to understanding, preserving, and advocating for native plant species found in Florida. Since 2016, Adam has been an active member at the Ixia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS), a state-wide non-profit organization committed to the preservation, conservation, and restoration of native plants and native plant communities. Currently, Adam serves as a Director at the Florida Native Plant Society.
