If native soil and microbes are the foundation for a healthy productive habitat, then native plants are the backbone! Native plants evolve adaptations to survive predation and climate in an area over hundreds of thousands of years. Native habitats also provide ecosystem services for humans such as erosion, flood and fire control, water storage, micro-climate regulation and nutrient cycling.

If you have the space and resources to plant a native garden, it helps in many ways:

1. Saves water and money: Native plants are adapted to the climate and require less watering. 

2. Less weeding: Native plants grow in balance with other native plants and therefore require less weeding and maintenance. 

3. Less pollutants: A native plant garden requires less herbicide use. 

4. More native animals: Native plants provide food and shelter for native animals like birds, butterflies and bees. 

5. Cultivated native plants can attract native animals and provide more opportunities to participate in community science such as the next City Nature Challenge!

What is the City Nature Challenge?

Started in 2016, the City Nature Challenge is engaging residents and visitors in documenting nature to better understand urban biodiversity via the app iNaturalist.

How Can I Participate?

Simply take photos of plants and animals near your home and upload to the iNaturalist app during the days of the City Nature Challenge. People from all over the world are encouraged to participate, even in their homes (indoor bugs need documenting, too)!

Join us online! #CuriOdyssey