A new initiative in Hampton Roads seeks to inspire area residents and businesses to use native plants in their gardens and protect native vegetation in the landscape.  Through a recent grant from the Virginia Coastal Program, the HRPDC will spearhead an effort to plan a regional marketing campaign for promoting native plants in Hampton Roads.

Native plants provide many ecological benefits.  For example, they serve as sources of food (berries, seeds, nectar) and habitat year round for resident and migratory birds.  They also provide energy sources and host plants for many pollinators and their larvae, which in turn become bird food.  They absorb nutrients and soak up water before it runs off the ground helping to prevent pollution from entering local waterways.  And, they typically require less fertilizer and fewer pesticides than non-native plants, thus reducing the introduction of pollutants to the environment and saving money!

Our regional steering committee will be on Wednesday, May 28 to discuss needs and opportunities within the Hampton Roads region to promote the use of native plants.  Anyone interested in participating on the steering committee should contact Julia Hillegass  at the HRPDC.

Register to attend the Wednesday, May 28th meeting HERE.