A Native Plant's Journey
December 13, 2023
By Julia G. King
Have you noticed the native plants popping up at Trust preserves? Thanks to your support the Trust has added over 1500 native plants over the past few years. Native plants support biodiversity by providing nectar, pollen and seeds for wildlife as well as an environment for these animals to live and breed.
How did all these wonderful plants make it to our preserves? Some started out as tiny seedlings grown by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). In May, Trust stewardship staff picked them up from the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery, which produces tree and shrub seedlings for conservation plantings.
After surviving the long journey back to Eastern Long Island, they were planted at one of our three native plant nurseries. This allowed the plants to grow bigger and stronger throughout the spring and summer.
In November some of the plants, including Oak, Sumac, and Virginia Rose, found their final home at the Wolf Preserve in Southold. Volunteers from John J. Insurance helped us replant and secure them behind fencing. Hopefully, the fencing will deter the deer from this new snack, and they can survive the winter.
Look for the native trees and shrubs next spring as they begin leafing out.
Julia G. King
Digital Communications Coordinator
JKing@PeconicLandTrust.org