Plant native plants to help nature
Native plants support the entire food web by providing food for insects, birds, bats, small mammals and other wildlife. This is particularly important now that scientists are documenting global declines in insect populations. Used in a rain garden, native plants help minimize flooding and filter out pollutants. The variety of colors, shapes and sizes adds beauty to any property. Get started with the resources below.
Planting basics
- Native plants for beginners
- Plant for monarchs
- Plants for birds
- Step-by-Step Native Landscaping Guide
- DNR's Native Plant Recommendations for Landscaping [PDF]
- Rain Gardens: A Guide for Homeowners and Landscapers
Buy native plants
Upcoming Local Plant Sales
- Ozaukee County Land and Water Management Department – Deadline: April 2, 2021
- Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Rain Garden Plant Sale - Deadline: April 8, 2021
- Pewaukee River Partnership Annual Plant Sale – Deadline: April 17, 2021
- Friends of Wehr Nature Center - Deadline: April 21, 2021
- Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory – Deadline: April 23, 2021
- Geneva Lake Conservancy – Deadline: June 30
- Wild Ones Menomonee River Area – Deadline: Sale is the entire month of June 2021
Native Landscaping Webinars
- Xerces Society Webinar Series – Feb. 16-May 26, 2021
- Western Great Lakes Bird And Bat Observatory Webinars – Feb. 17-June 16, 2021
- Monarch Joint Venture Monarch Conservation Webinars – Feb. 23-Dec. 21, 2021
- Friends of Wehr Nature Center: Manage Your Yard Naturally Webinar – March 31, 2021
- Wild Ones Menomonee River Area – See their monthly events calendar
Garden Tour Videos
Take a garden tour with DNR conservation biologist Amy Staffen as she showcases her native plants and provides a few tips and tricks for maximizing your yard for Wisconsin wildlife.
Ecosystem restoration
For broader-scale projects, please see the resources below to help with your project.
- Prairie Primer
- Plant Species Composition of Wisconsin Prairies: An Aid to Selecting Species for Plantings and Restorations
- Restoration contractors
- Xerces’ Pollinator Meadow Installation Guide and Checklist [exit DNR]
- Tallgrass Restoration Handbook
Dig deeper
Interested in more help with creating habitat for animals? Try these other resources.
- Birding and bird conservation
- DNR's native pollinator page
- The Field Museum’s Creating Monarch Habitat in Your Midwestern Garden
- Xerces' Pollinator Plants Great Lakes Guide
- Wisconsin School Garden Initiative
- Wild Ones: Native plants, natural landscapes