Native Plant Ecosystems
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nativeplantecosystems.com
Native Plant Ecosystems
@nativeplantecosystems.com
Advocating for the beauty and benefits of native plants. Together, we can enhance our landscapes and support local wildlife.

Amateur nature photographer who loves insects and native plants. Focusing on native plants and ecosystem restoration in my world.
Leaving the seedheads of native plants is crucial to our native overwintering songbirds. Planting native plants only to cut them down in fall defeats the purpose.
December 8, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers can look almost identical at a glance, but there are a few easy ways to tell them apart. Downies are smaller and have a short, delicate bill. Hairies are larger and have a long bill that matches the length of their head.
December 8, 2025 at 1:23 PM
November 9, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Spiders are super food for baby birds.
They contain higher taurine than any other insects, fueling brain and eye development in chicks.

When we rake away leaves, we take away the spiders — and the birds feel it first.

nativeplantecosystems.com/blog/why-spi...
Why Spiders Are Crucial for Baby Birds and How Leaves Tie It All Together
Spiders are crucial for baby bird diets. Learn how leaves, soil, and invertebrates connect to bird survival and what you can do in your yard.
nativeplantecosystems.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Some photos I took in my yard after dark last night. I saw a mouse up in a plant eating seeds. Kind of neat to see so many things happening. The crab spiders are black light reflective, like scorpions. They were everywhere.
September 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) caterpillars hide by sticking flower petals to their backs. They mostly eat flowers, not leaves, which lets them use many natives like Rudbeckia, Helianthus, Solidago, Aster, and Verbena. They grow into small green moths with wavy-edged wings.
September 27, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Removing leaves led to 17% fewer insects, 40% fewer butterflies & moths, and 67% fewer spiders. Here’s how to keep your yard full of life.

#LeaveTheLeaves #HabitatInYourYard #NativePlants #NativePlantEcosystems #BiodiversityMatters #PollinatorGarden
When to Clean Up Leaves? Never — With a Few Caveats
Find out why experts say never to fully clean up leaves, how they support insects and birds year-round, and the best way to manage them responsibly.
nativeplantecosystems.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Inoculating your new vernal pool with material from established pools delivers immediate benefits. This simple transfer of sediment and water introduces a complete microscopic ecosystem—dormant eggs, seeds, bacteria, and fungi—that would otherwise take years to develop naturally.
March 27, 2025 at 11:36 PM
🌿 Ever wonder if that "native plant" is really native to your area? Historical plant records are incomplete, but Ecoregion Level 3 can be your guide! Our new blog explores how to make smart ecological gardening choices despite data gaps.

#NativePlants #EcologicalGardening #Ecoregions
Native Plant Ranges: What We Know (and Don't Know) for Ecological Gardening
Learn why native plant range records are incomplete and how Ecoregion Level 3 classifications can guide your ecological gardening choices despite these historical data gaps!
nativeplantecosystems.com
March 23, 2025 at 11:31 PM
This is one of the best habitat creation videos out there. If you are into wildlife, this is full of great ideas to boost your ecosystem.
Going Beyond Plant Lists: Gardening for wildlife
YouTube video by mccoshsm
youtu.be
February 4, 2025 at 1:58 PM
When in America
January 13, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Northern Flicker. Gorgeous native bird.
December 14, 2024 at 1:29 PM
Plant native plants and let them do their thing. Leave the seeds for birds to eat in winter. This is the way.
December 13, 2024 at 3:19 PM
Meet the Grass-carrying Wasp (Isodontia mexicana), an industrious insect that plays a vital role in our ecosystem. Its unique nesting behavior not only aids in its survival but also contributes to the health of our environment. 🐝🌾
#NatureLovers #InsectLife #Biodiversity #wasps
December 12, 2024 at 3:44 PM
December 12, 2024 at 3:28 PM