Stewarding our land

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about the importance of invasive plant management.  

“What is this place going to look like when my grandkids are my age?” This is the question that Kyle Lybarger posed on a video on his social media. Kyle has a degree in forestry from Alabama A&M and is the founder of the Native Habitat Project, which aims to increase native biodiversity through property consultations, native plantings, wildlife management plans, forestry consulting and more.  

The place in question is public land in Kyle’s home state of Alabama. He pointed out some issues with this particular space, including lack of management of fallen trees, not using prescribed fire or treating invasives. The result? He’s been seeing his native plants, like “giant shortleaf pines, post oaks and fire adapted species disappear without regenerating while invasives have a free for all.” 

The issue Kyle is pointing out and trying to solve with his work through the Native Habitat Project is not just a local issue, it is widespread and pervasive. All around the country, we are seeing ecosystems get destroyed by the lack of management of invasive species which outcompete native plants and lead to a less biodiverse and less healthy ecosystem.  

Managing these invasives species, specifically by removing them, is key to helping our local ecosystems recover. It also comes with a variety of benefits, both for humans and the environment: 

• Healthier spaces: Native ecosystems often naturally filter air and water, making the environment around them healthier. 
• Save energy: By working with native plants, people can reduce the amount of time they are working in the garden and the water bill, as native plants self-maintain far better than non-natives. 
• Improve the food chain: Native pollinators, who are the foundation of our ecosystem’s food chain, rely on native plants to survive.  

As an individual, there are a few ways that you can work to support native plants and set up environments to be healthy and beautiful when your grandkids are your age. Check out this article from The Cool Down for some recommendations about incorporating native plants into your next garden project. 

Original image source: Native Habitat Project