GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With summer fast approaching, many West Michiganders are beginning to work on planting and landscaping. A program through John Ball Zoo is urging people to consider adding native plants to their flowerbeds and yards to support Michigan's ecosystem.
The Habitat Hero program will be giving away over 2,000 native plants so residents can include them in their gardens. Officials say native plants provide food and shelter for wildlife, and that distributing the plants around West Michigan can help bolster habitats in urban areas.
Plants native to Michigan are preferred by insects and animals, and some are crucial to their survival, officials say.
“Habitat Hero offers the opportunity to learn how we can create amazing habitats for local wildlife right in our own backyards,” said Travis Kurtz, community science coordinator at John Ball Zoo. “John Ball Zoo wants folks to know that everyone can participate in wildlife conservation, and small steps like planting native species can go a long way.”
If you're interested in taking advantage of the program, here are the dates giveaways will be held at the zoo:
- World Ocean Day — June 20
- World Chimp Day — July 11
- World Lion Day — Aug. 7
- Monarch Day — Sept. 14
There will also be educational events throughout the summer on Michigan's native plants and how to care for them:
- Neighbors of Belknap Lookout Speaker Series — June 13
- Bizarre Bazaar — June 15 in Eastown
- Belknap Tour de Food Trucks event — June 27
Learn more about the zoo's conservation efforts here.
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