There are many resources available to learn how to develop a wildlife habitat using native plants. Here are some of our favorites. Scroll or jump to sections on this page:
Websites
- Maryland Native Plant Society – Includes links to local native plant lists and other information for native gardening. MNPS hosts frequent events available to the public; the site hosts handouts and transcripts for many of the previous presentations. In addition to the page with nurseries, the page also lists upcoming native plant sales.
- Native Plants for the DMV is operated by our chapter member, Ken Allen, and contains many links to valuable information, including resources for Non-Native Invasives.
- The Maryland Biodiversity Project provides information on plants, animals, fungi, throughout Maryland.
- Montgomery County’s RainScapes Rewards Rebate Program offers rebates to property owners who install RainScapes techniques such as rain gardens, rain barrels, conservation landscaping and other approved projects that help control stormwater. This program is open to properties in Montgomery County outside the municipalities of Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park. See Rainscapes programs for residents of the cities of Rockville, Gaithersburg.
- Prince George’s Audubon Society Habitat program
- Nature Forward (formerly the Audubon Naturalist Society) inspires residents of the DMV region to appreciate, understand, and protect their natural environment through outdoor experiences, education, and advocacy. Contains many resources, including the Garden Ecosystems Guide.
- Plant NoVA Natives has a lot of great resources, including the page Cues to Care which is full of design tricks that can make a native “natural look” intentional and acceptable even in manicured neighborhoods.
Print Publications
- Essential Native Trees and Shrubs for the Eastern United States: The Guide to Creating a Sustainable Landscape, Tony Dove and Ginger Woolridge
- Landscaping with Native Plants, Maryland Native Plant Society, download a copy
- The Living Landscape, Designing for Beauty and Diversity in the Home Garden, Rick Darke and Douglas Tallamy
- Pollinators of Native Plants, Heather Holm
- Bringing Nature Home, Douglas W. Tallamy
- Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat Conservation Landscaping in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, download a copy. Chapter members may download the contents in searchable table format on the Members Only page.
Social Media
YouTube Videos
- Kerry Wixted: Gardening for Pollinators
- Douglas Tallamy: Nature’s Best Hope (and any other talks by Dr. Tallamy)
- Heather Holm: Creating and Enhancing Native Bee Habitat in Your Garden
- Elaine Mills: Native Ground Covers for Sun and Shade (and many others by Elaine at Master Gardeners of Norther Virginia)
- Maryland Native Plant Society YouTube Channel