Setting the stage for our land and future generations
Help us engrain a positive mindset for our youth to care for Louisiana. With your help, we can do what we can to protect and beautify our beloved state. Join the Louisiana Wildflower Initiative and push for a beautiful future.
Betterment is past due
Plant flowers native to your area
Native plants not only supports pollinators and other species in your region—they're easier to grow, too, because they're already adapted to your climate and don't require loads of fertilizer or pesticide. Local garden centers, university extension programs, and nonprofit organizations can be great resources for finding the best plants for where you live. The U.S. Forest Service cautions against picking or digging up wildflowers on public land, however, which is illegal and does more harm than good.
Aim for a diverse mix of flowers
One of the mistakes people often make when they plant flowers for wildlife, is that they buy plants that bloom all at once: "In a healthy grassland, you have plants that grow throughout the season." By thinking over the course of a year, you’ll be rewarded with a burst of colors and scents that unfold over the course of several months. In addition to planting a range of flowers that flourish at different times, think about complementary species too. Flowers and other plants can help control pests in a vegetable garden, "If you think about it as an ecosystem and try to mimic what we see in natural ecosystems, that really works best."
Be active in your community
You don't need your own big plot of land. All you need is a pot, a window box, or another small space to plant wildflowers. But no matter how much space you have, also consider seeking out a community garden or local nature reserve where you can volunteer and help support the planting of native species. We also recommend paying attention to policies that affect natural ecosystems, such as the U.S. Farm Bill, which funds grasslands conservation programs.
