Demand, Supply, and Design: Organizations Encourage North Carolinians To Plant Native Plants – Chapelboro.com

Report on the Promotion of Native Plant Species in North Carolina for Sustainable Development

1.0 Introduction

This report examines the increasing importance of native plant species in North Carolina’s ecosystems and landscaping industries. It analyzes the challenges posed by non-native species, explores current market dynamics of supply and demand, and outlines strategies being employed to encourage the adoption of native flora. The promotion of native plants is directly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning biodiversity, sustainable communities, and responsible consumption.

• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Making urban environments more sustainable and resilient by integrating natural ecosystems.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Encouraging sustainable production and consumption patterns within the horticulture and landscaping industries.

2.0 Ecological Significance and Alignment with SDG 15: Life on Land

2.1 The Foundational Role of Native Flora in Biodiversity

Native plant species are integral to local ecosystems, having co-evolved with regional fauna over thousands of years to form complex, interdependent relationships. Their role is critical for maintaining biodiversity, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 15.

• Ecosystem Support: Native plants serve as the foundation of local food webs. For example, the 16 species of milkweed native to North Carolina are the sole food source for Monarch butterfly caterpillars.
• Food and Habitat: According to Christopher Moorman of North Carolina State University, native wildflowers provide essential nectar for pollinators and seeds for animals. They also influence soil composition and community structure.
• Invertebrate Populations: Native plants support crucial invertebrate populations, which in turn are a primary food source for the young of many bird species.

2.2 Threats from Non-Native and Invasive Species

The proliferation of non-native plants, often favored for their resilience and landscaping appeal, poses a significant threat to local ecosystems. The unchecked spread of these species undermines efforts to halt biodiversity loss as outlined in SDG 15.

• Competition: Non-native plants can outcompete native species for resources such as space, water, and sunlight. This can lead to a homogenization of plant life and a reduction in overall biodiversity.
• Food Web Disruption: While some non-native plants like privets may be integrated into the food web (e.g., eaten by adult birds), they can indirectly harm species by displacing native plants that support essential life stages, such as the invertebrates needed by baby birds.
• Invasive Spread: Certain non-native plants become invasive, establishing and reproducing on their own. An example is the fig buttercup (Ficaria verna), which forms dense colonies that crowd out native flora, particularly after spreading via floodwater.

3.0 Market Dynamics and Alignment with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

3.1 Analysis of Consumer and Legislative Demand

A notable shift in consumer preference and public policy indicates a growing movement towards responsible consumption patterns that favor native plants, in line with SDG 12.

1. Commercial Grower Surveys: A 2021 survey by the Coastal Landscapes Initiative found that a majority of 20 commercial growers reported increased demand for native plants over the preceding five years.
2. Public Interest: The North Carolina Native Plant Society has observed significant public engagement, with newsletter subscriptions (2,300) far exceeding official membership (900).
3. Governmental Policy: In 2019, the North Carolina General Assembly passed Senate Bill 606, mandating that the Department of Transportation prioritize the use of native plants along state roadways.

3.2 Challenges in Commercial Supply

Despite rising interest, the commercial supply chain presents a barrier to the widespread adoption of native plants. The economic structure of the nursery and landscaping industry is not yet fully aligned with sustainable production goals.

• Economic Disparity: According to Yousif Nazo of Nazo Landscaping, large-volume purchasers such as contractors and developers predominantly buy non-native plants, representing a significant portion of revenue for nurseries. Homeowners, who are more likely to request native plants, represent a smaller market segment.
• Scale of Production: While smaller nurseries often specialize in native plants, larger nurseries that supply major landscaping projects continue to focus on non-native species to maximize space and profit.
• Industry Viability: A key challenge is to build sufficient demand for native plants to allow the horticulture industry to shift its production focus while remaining economically viable, a core principle of sustainable production under SDG 12.

4.0 Strategic Initiatives for Sustainable Urban and Community Landscaping (SDG 11)

4.1 Public Education and Aesthetic Integration

A primary strategy for increasing the use of native plants involves educating the public on their aesthetic value and design potential. This approach promotes the integration of natural biodiversity into developed areas, contributing to the creation of sustainable communities as envisioned in SDG 11.

• Intentional Design: Organizations like the N.C. Native Plant Society and N.C. Sea Grant are promoting design principles that show how native plants can be used to create landscapes that are either neatly organized or have a more natural, free-flowing appearance.
• Regional Identity: The use of native plants can create a unique sense of place that reflects North Carolina’s natural heritage, which is an appealing factor for residents.

4.2 Case Study: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The relandscaping of the Old Well at UNC-Chapel Hill serves as a high-profile example of integrating native plants into public spaces, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and regional identity.

• Project Goal: The university’s landscape architect, Daniel Widis, stated the goal was to use plants representative of the state to create a landscape appropriate for the iconic location.
• Implementation: Nearly fifty types of native plants were installed, replacing non-native hedges and creating a dynamic display with varied bloom times throughout the year.
• Impact: The project demonstrates that native plants can meet the aesthetic and functional requirements of a prominent public space, serving as a model for sustainable landscape design in urban and institutional settings and advancing the goals of SDG 11.

5.0 Conclusion

The movement to promote native plants in North Carolina represents a critical intersection of ecological restoration, economic transition, and community development. By focusing on strategies that increase consumer demand through education on aesthetic design, stakeholders can create a market that supports the horticulture industry while advancing key Sustainable Development Goals. The successful integration of native flora into public and private landscapes enhances local biodiversity (SDG 15), fosters sustainable production and consumption (SDG 12), and contributes to the ecological resilience and unique identity of North Carolina’s communities (SDG 11).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article’s central theme is the protection of terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity, and native species in North Carolina. It discusses the importance of native plants like milkweed for the survival of species such as the Monarch butterfly, the threat posed by invasive alien species (e.g., privets, fig buttercup), and the degradation of natural habitats due to development and agriculture.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article addresses how landscaping choices within communities, from residential yards to public spaces like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus, impact local ecosystems. It explores making urban and suburban areas more sustainable by incorporating native plants, which helps protect the region’s natural heritage and enhances green spaces.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The article examines the supply and demand dynamics within the landscaping and nursery industry. It highlights a shift in consumer preference towards native plants and the challenges nurseries face in meeting this demand while remaining economically viable. This connects to promoting sustainable consumption patterns and encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • A significant part of the article focuses on the efforts of organizations like the N.C. Native Plant Society and N.C. Sea Grant to educate the public. They work to raise awareness about the ecological benefits and aesthetic appeal of native plants, aiming to equip people with the knowledge needed to make sustainable landscaping choices.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and… protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The article directly relates to this by highlighting how the loss of native milkweed affects the Monarch butterfly and how the homogenization of plant life in urban areas makes it “harder to find native bird species.”
   • Target 15.8: “By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems…” The discussion of non-native plants like privets and fig buttercup that “outcompete native plants” and the work of the North Carolina Invasive Plants Council in publishing a list of invasive plants are directly aligned with this target.
   • Target 15.9: “By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into… local planning, development processes…” The article provides two clear examples: the passing of Senate Bill 606, which “requires the Department of Transportation to prioritize planting native plants along roadways,” and the decision by UNC to use native plants to landscape the iconic Old Well, reflecting an integration of biodiversity values into institutional planning.
2. Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” The article touches on this by noting that people have an “interest in what is uniquely North Carolina,” and using native plants is a way to preserve the state’s unique natural heritage within its communities and public spaces.
3. Under SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.8: “By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.” The efforts of the N.C. Native Plant Society and N.C. Sea Grant to “educate the public on intentional design” and the benefits of native plants are direct actions towards achieving this target.
4. Under SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” The article describes how various organizations are educating homeowners, gardeners, and the general public about ecology, biodiversity, and sustainable landscaping, which contributes to this educational goal.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 15 (Life on Land)
   • Indicator for Target 15.5 (Biodiversity): The article implies that the health and population of species dependent on native plants, such as the Monarch butterfly and native birds, can serve as an indicator. A decline in these populations suggests a loss of biodiversity.
   • Indicator for Target 15.8 (Invasive Species): The existence and regular updating of the list of invasive plants published by the “N.C. Invasive Plants Council” is a direct indicator of measures being taken to identify and manage invasive species. The spread of plants like fig buttercup could be monitored as a measure of impact.
   • Indicator for Target 15.9 (Integration into Planning): The implementation of Senate Bill 606 can be measured by tracking the percentage of native plants used by the Department of Transportation in roadway projects. Similarly, the proportion of native plants used in landscaping on public lands, like the UNC campus, serves as an indicator.
2. For SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
   • Indicator for Target 12.8 (Public Awareness): The article provides specific data points that can be used as indicators of growing public awareness and demand. These include the increase in newsletter recipients for the N.C. Native Plant Society (from 900 members to 2,300 recipients) and the findings from the “2021 survey sponsored by the Coastal Landscapes Initiative,” where most commercial growers reported seeing demand for native plants grow.
   • Indicator for Production Patterns: The article implies an indicator for production shifts by noting that while smaller nurseries cater to native plants, the “largest ones did not” focus exclusively on them. The ratio of native to non-native plants grown and sold by large-scale nurseries would be a key indicator of progress in shifting production patterns.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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