California Home Gardeners Protect Wildlands and Wildlife by Avoiding Invasive Plants

California Home Gardeners Protect Wildlands and Wildlife by Avoiding Invasive
Plants

SAN FRANCISCO, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- With a burst of spring energy,
California's PlantRight campaign has kicked off across the state to empower
home gardeners to avoid using invasive plants. Invasive species are the
second leading threat to wildlife and biodiversity, and are expensive for
public parks and agencies to remove. Although most garden plants are not a
threat, more than half of invasive plants originally arrived through gardens
and landscaping, so home gardening choices matter. The PlantRight campaign is
led by a diverse partnership of the horticulture industry, environmental
groups, scientists, public agencies and other experts to help home gardeners
make smart gardening choices that protect California's unique wildlands and
wildlife.
"Most of the plants used in gardens and landscaping do not invade natural
areas and harm wildlife. But a few species can -- and do -- escape from
cultivated areas into open landscapes and cause serious ecological problems,"
said Terri Kempton, PlantRight Manager at Sustainable Conservation.
"Fortunately, there are plenty of beautiful, safe alternatives to invasives,
so it's easy for gardeners to find plants that will thrive in their yard.
For each region of California, PlantRight's steering committee identified
the problem plants and non-invasive alternatives that will thrive in that
area. These are shown on the PlantRight website, http://www.PlantRight.org.
The PlantRight campaign asks gardeners to:
(1) Avoid planting invasives;
(2) Plant beautiful non-invasive alternatives;
(3) Find local retail partners and other resources at
http://www.PlantRight.org.

"Invasive plants like brooms, Arundo donax and iceplant cause significant
harm to parks and natural areas across California," said Ruth Coleman,
Director of California State Parks. "They crowd out native plants, insects
and animals. Once they take hold, they are expensive to remove or control.
Invasions can also lead to flooding and fires."
For example, Arundo donax (giant reed) forms massive stands that crowd out
the native plants that provide valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife.
At least 10 protected animal species in California, including the endangered
bird the Least Bell's Vireo, suffer habitat loss due to invading Arundo.
These tall plants burn quickly and at high temperatures, allowing flames to
jump streams that would normally act as barriers to the spread of wildfires.
Safe alternatives include Clumping Bamboos (Bamboos multiplex, B. oldhamii,
Fargesia nitida) and New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax cultivars).
Nationally, invasive plants cost more than $35 billion per year in
eradication work and economic losses. In California alone, $85 million in
taxpayer funds go to fighting invasive species every year. Fortunately, home
gardeners and professionals are making smart choices to avoid planting
invasive varieties.
"Plant growers, garden centers and landscaping professionals can help
gardening enthusiasts find the perfect match for their needs," said Bob
Falconer, Executive Vice President, California Association of Nurseries and
Garden Centers.
In addition to being environmentally responsible, some non-invasive plants
offer additional benefits such as drought resistance, lower fertilizer
requirements, attracting wildlife and reducing fire risks.
About PlantRight
PlantRight was created by the California Horticultural Invasives
Prevention (Cal-HIP) partnership to help protect California wildlands and
wildlife from invasive plants. Sustainable Conservation, a nonprofit
organization known for forging lasting collaborative solutions to critical
environmental problems, created the Cal-HIP partnership and manages
PlantRight. http://www.PlantRight.org.
PHOTOS AND REGIONAL CASE STUDIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR MEDIA USE
SOURCE Sustainable Conservation

Carolyn Brown, +1-510-813-5521, carolyn@GreenWaveStrategies.com; or Alex
Karolyi, +1-415-977-0380 ext., 317, both for Sustainable Conservation