February is halfway over and before you know it spring will be here!
This is the time of year I start planning our field season for the Noxious Weed Monitoring Program and start daydreaming about Montana's wildflowers, because it's never too early for that. Our native plant species are one of the best defenses we have against noxious weeds.
This year, PCEC is partnering with Montana Freshwater Partners and MSU Extension Master Gardeners to build some excitement for native plants, and to offer insight about how you can enhance your yard with native landscaping. By planting native, you are not only adding to the wildflower display, but increasing biodiversity and native habitat in Park County.
Pre-order your plants now and start planning how you can help with Montana's declining biodiversity and habitat loss starting with your yard. Place your orders online today at freshwaterpartners.org.
We have prepared a lot of great resources to share and hope you find it helpful as you start to design your native garden. Click here to find more.
If you have any questions about native or noxious plants, contact me at bethany@pcecmt.org or call (406) 333-1398.
In Community,
Bethany
Save the date for the Native Plant Sale Party on Friday, May 19th!
Pick up your plants, eat some food, and learn about planting native in Park County. We will be joined by local non-profits and agency resources at the Lincoln School (215 E Lewis St, Livingston) from 4-6 pm, to celebrate our community and local knowledge around native species, wildlife habitat, pollinators, and more. Come walk around the garden, listen to music, and smell the wild roses with us.
Do you want to become a Master Gardener?
Be a local resource for your neighbors and learn more about planting a beautiful and productive garden in our climate by signing up for Master Gardener, Level 1. Call Jackie Pondilfino at (406) 222-4156 or visit montana.edu/extension/park to learn more about this 8-week course starting on March 20th, offered by MSU Park County Extension.
Why grow wild?
Animal species diversity in a specific habitat is closely linked to plant species diversity in that same habitat. Native plants are the foundation of the terrestrial food web. Noxious weeds, most of which were introduced to Montana as garden species, reduce crop yields, edge out native plant communities, and reduce species diversity. Native plants enhance wildlife habitat and species diversity, are adapted to our soils and climate, require less water, fertilizer, and pesticide, while supporting pollinators.
The native plant sale is designed for landscaping with native plants. For larger projects, the DNRC Nursery is a great place to purchase large orders of native plant seedlings. The DNRC nursery is in Missoula, serving private landowners, conservation organizations, and government agencies. To be eligible to place an order, the seedlings must be used for a conservation project. Examples of conservation projects are shelterbelts/windbreaks, reforestation, wildlife habitat, post-fire or post-flood restoration, etc. If you have any questions to determine if your project qualifies, please call (406) 542-4244 or email mtnursery@mt.gov
