While conventional gardening and landscaping seek to achieve a certain look, stewardship here at the Highland Park Native Plant Sanctuary seeks to promote ecological resilience and biodiversity. 

We use no chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. Last year’s flower stalks, fallen leaves, twigs and branches are left on the ground to provide shelter for insects and small animals and nourishment for organisms that turn plant matter into rich soil. 

We make space for planting native plants by removing invasive species. Native plants sustain a microbiota that helps other plants absorb water and nutrients. Webs of soil microorganisms allow trees to communicate with each other through their roots and improve soil quality. Native plants also attract native insects, which native birds depend on to feed their nestlings. Thus a system of mutually dependent lifeforms begins to emerge on what, for about 300 years, was mostly lifeless, disturbed land.

Our stewards protect the sanctuary and its plant communities, but try not to intervene too much. All living things want to grow and thrive. Given time, they generally can figure out on their own how to maximize their nourishment and protect themselves from predators. As stewards here, we try to be patient, paying attention to the emerging ecosystem and looking for clues to teach us what we can do to help. This type of land management is less expensive, less time consuming, less polluting and more ecologically friendly than conventional landscape care.

To learn about volunteer opportunities, email highlandparknativeplants@gmail.com.