Saving The Natives: Wild Flower Rescue Groups

Most of us are familiar with the concept of pet rescue groups, groups that take in unwanted, abused, or stray animals and attempt to find suitable homes for them. However, did you know that there are similar groups dedicated to rescuing native wildflowers?

Promoting the Stewardship of Our Natural Heritage

There are at least 40 wildflower rescue groups in the United States, and several more groups spread across Canada. The groups are made up of thousands of volunteers, each dedicated to preserving and promoting the stewardship of our natural heritage. The purpose of wildflower rescue groups is two-fold. Their primary purpose is to salvage wildflowers and other native plants that are in imminent danger of being destroyed due to loss of habitat. They also work tirelessly to educate the public about the important role native plant species play in our ecosystems.

How Plants Are Rescued

Rescuing wildflowers usually starts with a phone call that alerts the group that some native plants may be lost to construction or development. Sometimes the calls come from the landowners themselves, and other times they come from neighbors, volunteers, or other conservation groups. With shovels and pots in hand, wildflower rescue groups then go to the sites slated for demolition or development and dig up, pot, and move native wildflowers out of harm's way. Groups remove plants only after receiving written permission, which also releases the landowner from any liability. The wishes of the landowner are always respected, and in many cases, wildflowers and native plants not in danger of being destroyed are often left on the site intact. Removal is usually done before construction commences, although many volunteers have reported scrambling to salvage plants while bulldozers were literally 'nipping at their heels'.

How to Obtain Rescued Plants

Once safely out of harm's way, many rescued plants are donated to public gardens and botanical societies, or potted and sold to raise money to fund more rescues. This is a wonderful way to obtain native plants. To ensure the best selection, it is best to contact rescue groups directly, and place your order early.

Some nurseries and mail-order companies also sell wildflower plants. For the sake of conservation, it is always preferable to purchase native plants that have been propagated from seeds, cuttings, or division instead of those collected from the wild.

Rescuing Plants On Your Own

Ideally, wildflowers should be left in their native habitat for everyone to enjoy. Don't become just another plant poacher. If you are considering rescuing plants from a construction site to protect them from otherwise being destroyed, make sure to obtain permission from the landowner beforehand. The first rule is 'do no harm'.

Remember that collecting from national or state-owned land (parks, forests, roadsides) is strictly prohibited, and that some wildflowers that are endangered or threatened cannot be collected or rescued without first obtaining the proper permits. Never rescue threatened or endangered species for the purpose of personal profit.Just like cultivated flowers, native wildflowers must have specific growing requirements met in order to thrive. Before you set out to rescue fragile wildflowers, make sure you know how to properly care for the plants you rescue. Document the steps you take in caring for them so future plants have a better chance for survival. Natives should not be disturbed when they are in flower. Attempting to rescue and transplant wildflowers while they are in bloom will likely result in dead plants. If time permits, it's better to mark the site and transplant or collect seeds at the appropriate time. For spring-flowering wildflowers, fall is the best time for transplanting. For fall-flowering wildflowers, spring is best. Seed collection is best done about a month after plants finish flowering.

Finding A Rescue Group Near You

Native wildflowers require less fertilizer, less pesticides, and less water to grow. They provide shelter and food for native wildlife in the form of nectar, seeds, and pollen. Perhaps most importantly, native wildflowers are beautiful to look at and promote the stewardship of our natural heritage. To find wildflower rescuers in your area, start by contacting a Native Plant Society in your state. Here are some links to native plant societies across the United States and Canada:

• http://www.michbotclub.org/links/native_plant_society.htm