What if your garden, your yard… or even your balcony could become a haven for wildlife?
Planting native species is much more than an aesthetic choice: it is a simple, accessible, and deeply powerful action to support the biodiversity around you. Adapted to our climate, beautiful, resilient, and full of ecological benefits, these plants are allies for a more vibrant future.
Here are 5 excellent reasons to add native plants to your spaces, whether large or small.
1. Provide a Vital Refuge for Pollinators and Birds
Native plants are essential for pollinators and herbivorous insects, which in turn feed birds and other species. For example, over 90% of herbivorous insects rely on native plants for survival, and a single brood of chickadees can consume up to 10,000 caterpillars before leaving the nest! By adding these plants to your garden (or balcony), you contribute to preserving food networks and supporting bird and insect populations.
2. Strengthen Soils and Mitigate Climate Change
Thanks to their deep roots, native plants improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and enhance water infiltration. They also enrich the soil with nutrients and help regulate the water cycle. Additionally, they store carbon in their tissues and the soil, contributing to reducing greenhouse gases.
3. Curb the Spread of Invasive Species and Protect Biodiversity
Native plants play a crucial role in protecting ecosystems by limiting the spread of invasive exotic species, which deplete local biodiversity. By incorporating native plants into your outdoor spaces, you promote a natural and sustainable ecological balance.
4. Turn Any Space, Even a Small One, into a Viable Habitat
Even a small balcony can become a refuge for biodiversity. Without suitable plants, an urban space remains barren for pollinators. Adding just a few pots of native plants creates a microhabitat where insects can find food and breeding sites. The more urban areas are planted with native species, the more biodiversity will thrive.
5. Contribute to a Collective Movement to Restore Ecosystems
If every homeowner replaced part of their lawn with native plants, we could create an extensive ecological network across Quebec and Canada. Private lands offer a unique opportunity to restore ecosystems, especially south of the 49th parallel, where over 80% of our biodiversity is concentrated. Sowing native seeds is a concrete step toward nature conservation and a more resilient future.
Every Seed Counts! Whether in a garden, a backyard, or a balcony, every space planted with native species is a step forward in restoring biodiversity. Join the movement!
Sources:
Deschênes, Fanny. (2022). La conservation de la biodiversité en terres privées au sud du Québec : Caractérisation des freins et leviers systémiques et recommandations pour une approche intégrée [Master’s thesis, Université de Sherbrooke]. Savoirs UdeS. https://savoirs.usherbrooke.ca/handle/11143/19241
National Wildlife Federation. (2023, April). Plant 50% to 70% native—Benefit more wildlife. NWF Blog. https://blog.nwf.org/2023/04/plant-50-to-70-native-benefit-more-wildlife/
Homegrown National Park. Tallamy, Doug. (n.d.). What’s the rush? [Conference]. https://homegrownnationalpark.org/whats-the-rush/