Ephemeral Acts of Conservation
By Sam Settlemyre, CGC Conservation Program Manager
When I use the term “conservation,” people often think about big global efforts to save the polar bears or protect the rain forests. Our problems here in Southwest Ohio are different but just as pertinent. We are seeing significant declines in insect populations—including the monarch butterfly—many species of birds, and significant impacts on plant communities. That’s why I consider growing native plants in your home garden or local community space an important act of conservation. It’s more important than ever for us to think of our yards, community gardens and local greenspaces as refuges for native plants, insects, birds and other wildlife who are struggling to find suitable habitat in urban and suburban neighborhoods.
With GrowFest right around the corner, it’s a great time to think about the kinds of plants we have in our yards. Over the last several years, the selection of native plants offered at the festival has evolved. This year, you’ll be able to find sun- and shade-loving native perennials, spring ephemeral flowers, shrubs and nativars. All of these plants will provide important food and shelter for wildlife, allowing you to take your first (or second, or tenth) step as a backyard conservationist. As I’m planning out my own garden I like to follow Doug Tallamy’s 70/30 rule: Try to make sure at least 70% of your landscape, including trees, is made up of native plants.
The plants I get most excited for at GrowFest are the spring ephemerals. They are hard to grow, which means they can be impossible to find at your local nursery. Spring ephemerals are one of those groups of plants that are increasingly rare in urban and suburban forests, but they play an important ecological role we can’t afford to lose. Growing them in your own garden is a wonderful act of conservation as it helps provide early-season nectar and pollen to the emerging pollinators who are on the hunt for food. Species such as queen bumblebees rely on these plants for the food they need to get their colonies started for the season.
Spring ephemerals are short lived and slow growing, meaning they are susceptible to disturbances in the forest. Invasive plants have proven especially destructive as species like lesser celandine outcompete the native ephemerals on the forest floor and species such as amur honeysuckle leaf out so early that they disrupt ephemerals’ lifecycles. Maintaining healthy populations of spring ephemerals, away from the reaches of invasive plants, will help ensure there is genetic diversity in local populations and provide a source of seeds for local forest restoration efforts. Taking part in this effort by growing these plants yourself will help you learn to appreciate their ecological importance and appreciate the beauty of these small flowers that too often get overlooked in our forests.
As we gear up for another growing season, now is the time to decide what acts of conservation you’re prepared to make this season. Whether that means learning to grow spring ephemeral flowers in your yard or volunteering with a local conservation organization, there are plenty of ways to get involved. I look forward to seeing you at GrowFest on Saturday, May 3 and talking about the ways we can work together to become better backyard conservationists!