This week, we discuss Idaho’s native plants with Paul Allen, President of the Sawabi chapter of the Idaho Native Plants Society, a non-profit focused on engagement and education around native plants.
Allen explains that native plants are the basis of all other biology, and define the landscapes of Idaho. There are many rare specimens in Idaho, which are being challenged by things like climate change, development, diseases, and invasive plants. For people who wish to help with the conservation of Idaho's native plants, Allen recommends reducing soil disturbance and finding an undisturbed piece of land in the community and planting what is found there. Having a native plant community shows what a functioning ecosystem is like, and brings in the other parts of the natural community.
Idaho has an abundance of public land for easy access to native plant life. Allen recommends visiting the Justice Park campgrounds to see a diversity of plant life. To see something unique to Idaho, people can go to the summit of Mount Harrison in Cassia county.
During the winter, the Sawai chapter of the Native Plant Society holds events the first Monday of each month. To find out how to get involved, visit idahonativeplants.org, and follow the links to your local chapter.