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Celebrate Native Plant Appreciation Week!

Cathy McQueeney

Oregon grape is Oregon’s state plant and supports our native birds and wildlife.

Native Plant Appreciation Week is April 25-May 1, 2021. This annual celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on why it is essential to control invasive weeds. Join us all at the District in celebrating the native flora that defines our wonderful state.

Celebrate Native Plant Appreciation Week with Tips from the WeedWise Program

The Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District WeedWise Program is in the business of preventing and controlling invasive weeds. As anyone that spends much time managing invasive weeds can attest, this work can be daunting. Battling a never-ending onslaught of invasive weeds can cause one to lose sight of the real reason that these plants must be controlled . . . their impact on the local community. One of the greatest impacts that invasive weeds have is on native flora. Invasive weeds choke out native plants in local natural areas and destroy the food and shelter they provide to native wildlife. Native plants are what help make Oregon. . . Oregon!

Boot Brushes at work! Note the weed seeds captured here. Photo courtesy: Emily Stevenson, Skamania County Noxious Weed Program

Get to Know Your Native Plants

One of the best ways to enjoy Native Plant Appreciation Week is to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of our state. Unfortunately, many of our parks, natural areas, and favorite wildflower hotspots are closed due to the coronavirus stay-at-home order. As a result, people are encouraged instead to spend some time familiarizing themselves with the amazing native plants of our region.

Here are two great resources to enjoy during Native Plant Appreciation Week. The first is the Native Plants Poster created by the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services. This is a great visual and concise guide for many of the common and attractive native plants in our region. The second is the Native Plants for Willamette Valley Yards published by our conservation partners at Metro. Both of these guides will provide familiarity with local native plants. Additionally, these guides provide valuable information on how you can grow these plants in your home landscape. What a great way to stay-at-home during Native Plant Appreciation Week!

Native bees love red flowering currant!

Be on the Lookout for Native Plants

The next time you are out and about, keep an eye out for native plants growing in your neighborhood. Consider sharing some of your observations on the iNaturalist App. This tool not only documents your observations but also provides help in identifying plants. This is helpful for documenting and identifying invasive weeds as well.

Learning more about local native plants now will allow you to hit the ground running when the stay-at-home order is finally lifted. When that day finally arrives, be sure that before you venture out to your favorite wildflower hiking spot, you take the time to clean your boots, clothing, and equipment to avoid spreading invasive weed seeds. Human beings and the activities which they undertake are one of the primary ways that invasive weeds spread, so help Stop Invasive Weeds in Your Tracks!

Learn Even More!

Check some of the links below for native plant information in celebration of Native Plant Appreciation Week.