Why Native Plants?

One major threat to the planet is the decline in biodiversity. We, as humans, depend on healthy ecosystems for our survival. This includes clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and ecosystems that can adapt to a changing climate. We know that the more biodiverse an ecosystem is, the better able it is to provide these ecosystem services.

One of the best ways to help increase biodiversity is to plant native trees and plants on your property, whether that be in your yard, on your Parish or school grounds, or even your apartment balcony. We need to integrate our developed communities with nature. Native plants provide food for pollinators and sequester carbon, as well as increase biodiversity.

Biodiversity and Laudato Si’

Speaking of biodiversity in Laudato si’, Pope Francis said, “The loss of forests and woodlands entails the loss of species which may constitute extremely important resources in the future, not only for food but also for curing disease and other uses. Different species contain genes which could be key resources in years ahead for meeting human needs and regulating environmental problems.”

The Holy Father continued, “It is not enough, however, to think of different species merely as potential ‘resources’ to be exploited, while overlooking the fact that they have value in themselves. Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will never see, because they have been lost for ever. The great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right.”