When We Save Nature, We Save Ourselves
Wildlife and people alike benefit from healthy ecosystems. Conventional gardening and landscape methods using pesticides, turf grasses, and non-native plants all take their toll on human health. Using intentional ecofriendly methods and planting native habitats can help remediate the negative impact and lead to a greater connection between people and communities. While the National Wildlife Federation has been promoting this work for over 50 years, stewardship of native plant habitat with sustainable landscape practices is something Indigenous people have been doing and leading the way for centuries. The concept of reciprocity to Mother Earth, the land, plants, and animals connect people to significant physical, spiritual, and emotional alignment.
In addition to helping wildlife, native habitat gardening activities benefit people in many different ways:
Health
Nearly everything we interact with, from the air we breathe to the water we drink, is impacted by the environment and how we care for it. Planting more trees can dampen stressful noise pollution, remove pollutants from the air9 , and cool the air. Additionally, planting native species can improve our water quality and soil stability, and even reduce the risk of wildfire. The act of gardening and spending time outside can improve our health in many ways, having a positive impact on blood pressure, brain activity, sleep patterns, stress reduction, and mood.10 Current stewards of Certified Wildlife Habitats® report spending more than an hour and a half longer outside each week after having certified their space. This is good news as a recent study shows that people who live near green spaces with high biodiversity reported better mental wellbeing.
Family and Children
Americans are spending less and less time outdoors, leading to “nature deficit disorder” in children.12 Restoring a home habitat creates moments of connection between family members and forms lifelong memories for children. Also, traditional yards often depend on harsh chemicals to maintain grasses which can negatively impact the health of children at play in the yard.13 Planting native species for wildlife prevents the need for chemical applications and attracts an abundance of wildlife—leading to a more exciting and kid-friendly space for making observations and playing.
CREDIT: DONNA M. DIFRANCESCO
Community
Joining the native habitat movement opens the door to connections with people across different communities. Making a change in how you care for your garden or community open space creates an opportunity to connect with neighbors and community members interested in doing the same.
Creating community around native habitats can also:
- Create the opportunity to work collectively with HOAs.
- Create a space for local activism including the Mayors' Monarch Pledge.
- Increase access to nearby Safe Spaces, natural green spaces, where all children and families can safely breathe fresh air and freely engage with nature and wildlife.
- Develop community pride.
- Support formal municipal efforts to increase natural green infrastructure.
“Natural infrastructure, thought of as natural or nature-mimicking systems that provide essential services and benefits to society like flood protection or erosion control, will provide benefits to communities, including protecting wildlife habitats, improving air and water quality, supporting local economies, and increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation.”
—National Wildlife Federation’s Natural Infrastructure Center for Environmental Justice and Resilience Concept Report. 2022.
CREDIT: SANJA JENNINGS
Spiritual
Taking personal action to respect and help wildlife and make a positive difference in this world can renew and rejuvenate your spirit, especially during stressful times. When you plant a habitat garden, watching the birds, butterflies and other wildlife that arrive creates happiness and a sense of accomplishment. Many spiritual traditions include beliefs and values about caring for our land and animals that lead to incredibly fulfilling experiences gardening for wildlife. In select regions, the National Wildlife Federation’s Sacred Grounds program engages congregations and local residents in native plant conservation, watershed management, increasing access to nature, and enhancing spiritual stewardship of the planet.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Indigenous peoples’ traditional ecological knowledge is core to native plant habitat work.
Tribal landscapes support plant diversity and ecosystem sustainability, edible and medicinal plants; in a cultural context that honor spiritual connection.
Traditional ways are unique to specific regions and ecosystems where people reside and reflect the gifts of land in those spaces. This knowledge is essential to fully understand the relationships of native plant communities, ecosystem interdependence, and what is shaping plant resilience to disturbances such as climate change, habitat loss and other impacts to natural landscapes.
Today, tribes are playing a leadership role to ensure native seed and plant supply nationwide as part the federal National Seed Strategy.
Because tribes have the longest continual stewardship experience with climate, wildlife, land, and natural resources in North America, they have intrinsic significant credibility and knowledge and provide an important role in facing our climate challenges. The National Wildlife Federation Tribal Partnerships Program partners with sovereign tribal nations to work together to help solve today's conservation challenges for future generations.
