By Joanne Pannone • Chair, Central Jersey Group
A few Sierra Club members of the Jersey Shore Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey joined an open house garden tour recently at the home of Kelly and Peter Balon in Brick Township.
During a five-year effort, the Balons packed 19 different native plant gardens into less than an acre. Inspired by the famed ecologist Doug Tallamy, they reduced their lawn space and added over 150 different native trees, shrubs, and native perennials.
During this process, they were excited to discover new natives that had lain dormant, just waiting for the invasive English ivy and garlic mustard to be cleared. The native netted chain fern has thrived.
“It is definitely a labor of love, but it brings us immeasurable joy and satisfaction when we see all the habitat we have restored to the land and get to share it with friends and wildlife,” Kelly said.
Native plants can be part of the solution to climate change devastation because they allow many types of wildlife to live amid dense urban development by providing valuable habitat.
An added benefit to these strategies is that local biodiversity improves and birds and insects flourish amongst restored native species of plants. Also, reductions in impervious surfaces and pesticides help improve water quality.
We can all make a positive difference during this time of climate change by striving to maintain biodiversity!