What an interesting digest issue we had Dec 15-16. It seems the fuse was lit with a simple question about how to locate native plants, especially suitable native plants, for landscaping one's home territory or for restoration projects in public spaces or commercial property. The Washington Native Plant Society has provided training for Native Plant Stewards for about 11 years now. trainees get 80 hours or so of classroom work with eoclogists, hydrologists, ethnobotanists and others coming from week to week, and they have three or more field trips to forests, wetlands, etc. The idea grew out of the Master Gardener's program now operating in many states. However, we teach Stewards what the more natural habitats in their surroundings contain, about invasive species, which trees, shrubs and ground covers will "like" particular habitats. We show them how to beat back the aliens and plant stuff, but assure them that what they are doing is not natural, although it may provide a framework for more natives to move in on their own.The graduated Stewards are required to donate an equivalent number of hours as they received training (which is free otherwise) of their time to public projects, not just doing the restoration work, but engaging and leading other volunteers in the more natural greenspaces and parks in their cities or in the surrounding countryside. The most interesting part is to monitor and observe the results as some species thrive and others struggle or die. Check out our website, www.wnps.org, for lots of information, including where to get plants if you are a Washingtonian, and other ideas.
Wayne and Warren produced some really stimulating ideas regarding landscaping and restoration. I take the idea of the whole earth being the real ecosystem a little farther. The idea that what we do or inadvertently affect, is "cultural" while the actions and interactions of creatures in a piece of relatively native habitat (say, a forest interior in the Northwest) is "natural" seems overly anthropocentric. Are we not members of the whole earth ecosystem, naturally evolved here on earth, and doing our little food acquisition activities, territorial displays, dispersal and migratory ventures and reproductive activities, just like all those other species (the eastern gray squirrels digging up the plants in my Seattle back yard come immediately to mind)? If this is true, then the idea of man apart becomes meaningless. We happen to be a primo invasive species, unfortunately for many other species on the planet. If this seems depressing, join your state's Native Plant Society, or start one, or check with its Natural Heritage Program and get to work. We may be able to become less invasive. Mike Marsh Conservation Committee Washington Native Plant Society
