Native Plant Garden Design Program April 12

Garden photo

Sarah with husband Randy

Join the NCEC (Newaygo County Environmental Coalition) and Sarah Pregitzer on April 12th from 10 am-12 pm, in celebration of the arrival of Spring with a program on starting your own pollinator garden.  The program will be held at 432 Quarterline Road, Newaygo, 49337, in the UCC building.  

Registration is required for this free event as seating is limited to 28 guests. To register, go to www.facebook.com/NCEC2/events, and click on the registration link in the Pollinator Gardens post, or follow this link: www.zeffy.com/ticketing/pollinator-garden-design. You can also scan the QR code, or contact NCEC: [email protected]; 231-519-3419.

Ms. Pregitzer will share her knowledge regarding site selection, sources for native plants, and maintenance of the garden. This will enable anyone to create habitats in their own yards to welcome and support pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Sarah is a Master Naturalist, a Conservation Land Steward, and co-founder of Newaygo Invasive Plants Project with her husband Randy Butters.

In addition to the presentation, guests will have the opportunity to order native plants from Big Bluestem Farm (BBF) near Bitely, MI.  BBF specializes in native plants that are best suited to the Newaygo and West Michigan region.  Also known as local genotypes, these plants are well adapted to the local climate, require less maintenance, and will provide years of beauty and resilience.

“Why grow native plants in your yard and garden?” asks Sarah. “Because they are much easier to maintain once established than non-native plants. They required less water, so are generally more drought resistant. They do not need added fertilizers and pesticides that many non-native plants need. So in that way they cost less to grow and are much better for the environment.”

Sarah also adds, “Pollinators such as butterflies, bees and other insects are needed for pollinating our food sources as well. They also nourish those up the food chain such as birds, bats, and other animals.”

Meta-analysis of 16 studies shows that insect populations have declined by about 45% in just the last 40 years. The large-scale death of insects poses huge threats not only to the ecosystems they exist in but also to much of our agriculture. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services estimates that insects pollinate about 75% of global crops (www.entomolgy.ucr.edu). 

Here in the U.S., the beloved Monarch Butterfly is headed towards the Endangered Species list. The eastern migratory population is estimated to have declined by approximately 80%, and the western population has declined by more than 95% since the 1980s. This is heading them both toward extinction by 2080 unless their natural habitats and food sources are protected and increased. 

“We can, and we must, provide as many native plants in our own yards as we can to help nourish our local pollinators and increase their numbers,” states Sally Wagoner, Vice Chair of NCEC. “This program with Sarah will guide anyone in starting or expanding their native plant garden. What a great way to help our butterflies and bees!”​