Land Use
Transforming landscapes to diverse, interconnected ecosystems will build climate resilience. Flood prevention, prescribed fires, and other infrastructure improvements should be considered for long-term planning to protect our people, buildings and habitats.
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Native plants play a crucial role in mitigating and adapting to climate change. They offer nature-based solutions by absorbing carbon dioxide, reducing urban heat, and providing habitat for wildlife, thus supporting resilient ecosystems. Planting native species can also help reduce mowing, lower the risk of invasive species and promote biodiversity.
Pictured above: The Congregation of St. Joseph in Kalamazoo has planted a native savannah over much of their property, which has reduced mowing, created a habitat for pollinators and helped with stormwater runoff.
Resources
Article: For Wildlife and Humans, Native Plants Are a Key to Climate Resilience
World Wildlife Foundation Certified Wildlife Habitat: https://www.nwf.org/Native-Plant-Habitats/Create-and-Certify
Pollinator/Monarch Waystation Certification: https://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/
Doug Tallamy's Homegrown National Park: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
Kalamazoo Wild Ones: https://kalamazoo.wildones.org/
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Local Native Plant Providers: Native Connections, Hidden Savanna, Tabitha Farm Urban Homestead & Community Garden, local seed libraries
