Thank you to our sponsor HRWC!
The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) has been promoting the benefits of native plants for many years. Their deep roots are very effective at soaking up stormwater runoff, which is the biggest threat to the health of the Huron River. HRWC updates and shares information on the benefits and use of native plants, rain garden resources, and a list of native plant producers for residents throughout the watershed. They also offer a free booklet for shoreline properties on the value of native plants. The HRWC is excited to support the Native Plant Expo & Marketplace to help give people access to native plants and experts. The Expo is an excellent place to buy plants and meet with the growers and other experts who have a ton of native plant information and know-how. We find native plants beautiful and hope more people explore ways to put them to work for clean water in the lawns, gardens and shorelines. Read their article below to learn more about the organization and the benefits of native plants.
About HRWC and their connection to native plants!
The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) has been promoting the benefits of native plants for many years. Their deep roots are more effective at soaking up stormwater runoff, which is the biggest threat to the health of the Huron River, than most plants that are not native, especially turfgrass lawns. HRWC updates and shares information on the benefits and use of native plants, rain garden resources, and a list of native plant producers for homeowners in the watershed. For shoreline property owners, HRWC has a free downloadable Waterfront Wisdom booklet that outlines the importance of growing native plants at the shorelines and within riparian buffers.
HRWC has also installed rain gardens and planted native plants as part of its ‘green stormwater infrastructure’ programs. Working with partner organizations and community groups, HRWC has installed rain gardens and bioswales in Ann Arbor for projects in the sub-watersheds of Millers Creek and Swift Run Creek. In Wixom, HRWC installed two rain gardens and planted native plants and shrubs in the riparian buffer along Norton Creek.
As the benefits of planting natives gains popularity in southeast Michigan, HRWC has partnered with other watershed groups, Oakland County and Washtenaw County to share resources for meeting the public’s growing interest in learning how to design and install rain gardens.
Native plants play an important role in HRWC’s mission to restore and protect the Huron River.
Native plants, trees, and shrubs are one of our favorite solutions to capturing stormwater runoff. Rainwater that lands on roofs and pavement quickly enters storm drains that lead directly to creeks and the river—no filters, no treatment. This rainwater picks up sediment and pollutants and carries them to our waterways.
The leaves and bark of native plants catch falling rain and hold it for evaporation or for gradual release to the ground below. Underground, their deep extensive root systems create channels in the soil—allowing rainwater to soak in. The water makes its way to groundwater aquifers or is taken up for use by the plants themselves. Slowing the flow of stormwater prevents erosion, which occurs when large amounts of sediment and water enter waterways quickly.
Native plants also support local wildlife, like bees and birds, and they are easier to maintain because they don’t need as much watering, fertilizer, or pesticides (if any is needed at all). Planting natives in place of lawns reduces the need to maintain and mow turfgrass, which means less carbon-generating energy is used to maintain a lawn—and quieter weekends!
Some of the many benefits of native plants
HRWC sponsors the Native Plant Expo to give people access to plants and experts!
HRWC has learned that many people ‘get it’ when it comes to the many benefits of planting natives. However, it can be hard to find local sources of native plants. We want to help people achieve their vision of moving away from grass and non-native plants in their yard. The Native Plant Expo and Marketplace is an excellent place to buy plants and meet with the growers and other experts who have a ton of native plant information and know-how. Even HRWC staff will go to the Native Plant Expo and Marketplace just to buy plants for their own yards!
HRWC hopes to see a cultural shift away from ‘fighting nature’ with resource-intensive plants to planting those species that are designed by nature to thrive right here in our watershed. We find native plants beautiful and hope more people explore ways to put them to work for clean water in their lawns, gardens and shorelines.
Photo, Caption: A native plant buffer prevents fertilizer runoff from getting into the lake. Credit: Mark Bugnaski Photography
The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) has been promoting the benefits of native plants for many years. Their deep roots are more effective at soaking up stormwater runoff, which is the biggest threat to the health of the Huron River, than most plants that are not native, especially turfgrass lawns. HRWC updates and shares information on the benefits and use of native plants, rain garden resources, and a list of native plant producers for homeowners in the watershed. For shoreline property owners, HRWC has a free downloadable Waterfront Wisdom booklet that outlines the importance of growing native plants at the shorelines and within riparian buffers.
HRWC has also installed rain gardens and planted native plants as part of its ‘green stormwater infrastructure’ programs. Working with partner organizations and community groups, HRWC has installed rain gardens and bioswales in Ann Arbor for projects in the sub-watersheds of Millers Creek and Swift Run Creek. In Wixom, HRWC installed two rain gardens and planted native plants and shrubs in the riparian buffer along Norton Creek.
As the benefits of planting natives gains popularity in southeast Michigan, HRWC has partnered with other watershed groups, Oakland County and Washtenaw County to share resources for meeting the public’s growing interest in learning how to design and install rain gardens.
Native plants play an important role in HRWC’s mission to restore and protect the Huron River.
Native plants, trees, and shrubs are one of our favorite solutions to capturing stormwater runoff. Rainwater that lands on roofs and pavement quickly enters storm drains that lead directly to creeks and the river—no filters, no treatment. This rainwater picks up sediment and pollutants and carries them to our waterways.
The leaves and bark of native plants catch falling rain and hold it for evaporation or for gradual release to the ground below. Underground, their deep extensive root systems create channels in the soil—allowing rainwater to soak in. The water makes its way to groundwater aquifers or is taken up for use by the plants themselves. Slowing the flow of stormwater prevents erosion, which occurs when large amounts of sediment and water enter waterways quickly.
Native plants also support local wildlife, like bees and birds, and they are easier to maintain because they don’t need as much watering, fertilizer, or pesticides (if any is needed at all). Planting natives in place of lawns reduces the need to maintain and mow turfgrass, which means less carbon-generating energy is used to maintain a lawn—and quieter weekends!
Some of the many benefits of native plants
- Improve water quality. The deep root systems of native plants help absorb and filter polluted runoff before it gets into rivers and lakes.
- Create wildlife habitat. Native plants provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies and other wildlife that rely on native plants for their survival.
- Save water, energy and money. Native plants are adapted to our local soils and climate and require minimal water and fertilizers.
- Restore biodiversity. By planting native plants we preserve Michigan’s botanical and biological heritage.
- Help mitigate climate change. Native plants store carbon in their roots, removing it from the atmosphere.
HRWC sponsors the Native Plant Expo to give people access to plants and experts!
HRWC has learned that many people ‘get it’ when it comes to the many benefits of planting natives. However, it can be hard to find local sources of native plants. We want to help people achieve their vision of moving away from grass and non-native plants in their yard. The Native Plant Expo and Marketplace is an excellent place to buy plants and meet with the growers and other experts who have a ton of native plant information and know-how. Even HRWC staff will go to the Native Plant Expo and Marketplace just to buy plants for their own yards!
HRWC hopes to see a cultural shift away from ‘fighting nature’ with resource-intensive plants to planting those species that are designed by nature to thrive right here in our watershed. We find native plants beautiful and hope more people explore ways to put them to work for clean water in their lawns, gardens and shorelines.
Photo, Caption: A native plant buffer prevents fertilizer runoff from getting into the lake. Credit: Mark Bugnaski Photography
