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You are here: Home / Saving Nature: Conserving Texas Natives One Yard at a Time

Saving Nature: Conserving Texas Natives One Yard at a Time

Why Natives?

Native plants have evolved to handle whatever weather Texas throws at them. Plants that are native to our region can usually withstand drought, heat, humidity, freezes, and floods.

Because they are adapted to our weather, you won’t have to water as often once they are established.  You’ll reduce the need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides, too.

Pollinators have evolved alongside these native plants, so they are able to use the nectar and pollen these plants produce. Birds are also adept at finding the insects who eat these plants so that they can feed their young. More birds to eat pesty bugs, fewer pests, less lawn and garden chemicals!

What We Do

Trained  native landscape advisors will survey your yard and landscaping to identify invasive plants and make recommendations for native plants that have the best chance to survive and thrive in your unique environment.

We do not provide a design schematic for planting, but do provide a list of plants based on your yard’s microclimates, taking into consideration the water and sunlight your specific areas receive during a day.

Have a shady spot where nothing grows? We’ve got a list of plants for that! Need color to attract more butterflies? We’ve got a list of plants for that! Want to encourage birds to nest in your neighborhood? We’ve got a list for that!

We’ll create a report that lists what plants to plant, and where to buy them.

Just the Facts…

[…]More than 700 million birds across 31 species that make their homes in fields and farmlands have vanished since 1970. 1

Common bird species are vital to ecosystems, controlling pests, pollinating flowers, spreading seeds and regenerating forests. 2

[…]the plants you grow around you can make a difference for birds—the ones that live with you year-round as well as the migrants that may stop in, exhausted and hungry, just twice a year.[…]Native plants support more insect food than non-native plants[…]Overall, we encourage people to reduce the amount of grass and nonnative species planted in a yard, while increasing the variety and coverage of native plants. Bonus: you’ll likely get more and different birds to enjoy around your home, too.3


1https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/silent-skies-billions-of-north-american-birds-have-vanished/
2https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/science/bird-populations-america-canada.html
3https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/get-involved/10-ways-to-help-birds/

Resources

Tallamy, Douglas W. Nature’s Best Hope : a New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 2019.

Dr. Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope video

Native Plant Society of Texas Houston Chapter Native Plant Information 

Invasive Species Guide 

Butterfly Friendly Gardening 

Sponsors

Heartwood Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist

Pines and Prairies Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas

To Request Landscape Advising

Program procedures are currently being developed. As soon as those are in place, a form to request landscape advising will be made available here.

Heartwood Chapter

PO Box 9611
The Woodlands, TX 77387
Chapter Meetings: Second Wednesday (except December)
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