July 10, 2025
Native Garden Taking Root at the OEC
The Latest Project
The Ohio Environmental Council relocated to our new home on East Town Street in March, but as we were settling in and making our new home, the front garden seemed like such an important opportunity to share our love of our natural world and live our values out loud.
We are excited to bring to 556 East Town Street a native garden which will transform the entrance to our building. This project wouldn’t have been possible without our donors: The Columbus Foundation, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, and Andy Miller. We’d also like to thank our landscaping firm, Josh Zingg, for undertaking the project. The OEC Operations team, comprising Dante, Kaitie, and Caitlin, are also vital to the growth of this project, so we extend heartfelt thanks to them. Stay tuned to hear how the project develops.
Timeline
- May: Renderings created
- June: Volunteers cleaned up and weeded garden
- July: Awaiting approval from the Historic Resources Commission
- July 18: Received approvals from the Historic Resources Commission
- July 25: Native garden install underway
- More to come!
Learn more about native plants
Why plant native plants?
Native plants provide food and shelter for pollinators and native wildlife (and people!), encouraging a robust and thriving ecosystem while also increasing biodiversity. As a general rule, native plants support far more life than non-natives. This is because native plants host far more insect species – especially the caterpillars of moths and butterflies—than do non-natives. In turn, many bird populations (and baby birds, in particular) are dependent on these native insect populations. Native plants are also adapted to the environments they are native to, meaning they are typically more drought and frost resistant, requiring less upkeep and watering from you!
What are native plants?
Native plants are species of plants that have evolved in a specific bioregion and are a vital part of the ecosystem, offering food and shelter to other species that evolved around them. In Ohio, there are nearly 1,900 native plant species, meaning there are a ton of options to choose from! There are many lists available to review Ohio’s native plants and the types of environments they thrive in. Ohio’s Indigenous stewards carefully tended and worked with native plants to feed, heal, create, and build thriving communities. Lots of folks are remembering these teachings and working to help us become better relatives to our local flora, strengthening our communities as a result.
Where can I get native plants?
There are many local nurseries across Ohio where you can buy native plants for your home. Not only does planting native plants strengthen ecological health and resilience, but buying plants from your local nursery strengthens local community and economic health and resilience. When purchasing from small, local nurseries, you can help prevent the use of neonicotinoids—sometimes employed to prevent insect damage—these harmful “neonics” make native plants unavailable as a food for insects, such as the caterpillars of moths and butterflies.
Other Great Resources to Check Out!
Ohio Native Plant Month (April): In 2019, the OEC helped support HB 59, which designated April as Native Plant Month in Ohio. Read the two pieces of testimony that we submitted at that time.
Northeast Ohio Native Plant Society
Homegrown National Parks Movement
Regional Resources
Central Ohio: Grange Audubon Center: Native Plant Backyard Challenge
Central Ohio: the bee collective
Central Ohio: Licking County Resources
Central Ohio: Love Your Alley
Northeast Ohio: Native Roots Inc.
Northwest Ohio: Native Plants – Land to Lake
Northwest Ohio: Lucas County SWCD, Northwest OH Native Plants.pdf
Southeast Ohio: Green Reach LLC
Southeast Ohio: Rural Action
Southeast Ohio: Rising Appalachia
Soutwest Ohio: Old Growth Cooperative
Southwest Ohio: Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society
Southwest Ohio: Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati
Look local! Most local Soil and Water Conservation Districts have programs to support planting Native Gardens. Local Metroparks and Watershed groups often host events, plant sales and giveaways, and offer education and resources for Native plantings.
