[PCA] News about native plants in the Southeast

[De Angelis, Patricia]

Native Plant Conservation Campaign News: Native plantings for bees, birds
and butterflies gain momentum on golf courses, roadsides
December 5, 2019

A new study <https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11252-019-00907-0>
from
the University of Florida has found that planting native wildflowers on
golf courses not only benefits pollinating insects but also supports
natural pest control and therefore saves time, chemicals and resources.

Researchers established wildflower plots on three golf courses in north
central Florida. They then compared the number and diversity of pollinators
and other flying beneficial insects in flowering plots with that of
turfgrass plots. Compared with turf, wildflower plots increased the number
of pollinators and beneficial insects, including those that act as natural
biocontrol by consuming pest insects. Also, greater native wildflower
diversity led to increased natural biocontrol services allowing for reduced
pesticide use.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s roadside wildflower program has been updated to
require that all trees and other plants used to beautify Georgia's roadways
be native to Georgia and grown in a Georgia nursery. The policy seeks to
increase the market for Georgia native plant farmers.

The program also supports other local businesses. The hobby honey industry,
for example, with over 50,000 members statewide, will benefit as Georgia
Department of Transportation encourages hives to be placed on private
property near native planting sites.

The Georgia roadside wildflower program is supported in part by the sale of
native plant license plates
<https://georgia.gov/blog/2018-07-03/story-behind-georgias-wildflower-lined-highways>
.

Read the Florida golf course study abstract
<https://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20191128/flagler-extension-notes-planting-wildflowers-on-golf-courses-has-benefits>
Read more about the Florida study at the University of Florida
<https://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20191128/flagler-extension-notes-planting-wildflowers-on-golf-courses-has-benefits>
Learn more about creating pollinator habitat on golf courses from the
Xerces Society
<https://xerces.org/publications/guidelines/making-room-for-native-pollinators>
Learn about the new “Georgia Grown” roadside native plant policy
<https://saportareport.com/roadside-flowers-to-help-bees-butterflies-as-georgia-grown-policy-supports-farmers/>

Emily B. Roberson, Ph.D.
Native Plant Conservation Campaign
415 531 4439
emilyr at plantsocieties.org
#SavePlantsSaveThePlanet
The mission of the Native Plant Conservation Campaign is to promote the
conservation of native plants and their habitats through collaboration,
research, education, and advocacy.
Please forward this message to any interested individuals or organizations.
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