You may often find yourself reading about native landscaping in current gardening magazines or hear a friend or relative talking about it. But what is native landscaping? Native landscaping is what we refer to as maintaining and designing landscapes that use native plants that are suitable for the individual site. Often we hear about gardeners having trouble with growing a particular species at their site. With native plants, this is not a problem. These natives are already adapted to the soil type and other environmental factors such as weather patterns, light and insects that come with the particular site. With these adaptations a native landscape can be considered low maintenance!

Let's look again at what benefits come with Native Landscaping!

Benefits

• Prevents soil erosion
• Reduction in herbicide and/or pesticide use
• Improves wildlife diversity
• Provides animal habitat
• Stormwater retention
• Improves Water Quality
• Low  maintenance
• Cost effective

If you are interested in designing or improving an existing native landscape feel free to contact the Muskegon Conservation District for assistance and information regarding our summer native perennial sale.

Rain Garden Information

Conservation

Formed in 1938, the Muskegon Conservation District remains an active participant in conservation of natural resources

Preservation

The District works to integrate sustainability into forest management and preserve 957 acres in Muskegon County for public use

Restoration

Local volunteers help control exotic species and restore urban environments at the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve