WISe Project to Benefit Wildlife Across the State
March 31, 2009
Photo Courtesy of NCWRC
A partnership between the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the Community College System and the Department of Corrections to teach horticulture to the prisoners and provide stock for landscaping.
The WISe (Wildlife Inmate Service) program teaches courses in horticulture to the inmates. The college provides the instructor and NCWRC purchases bare root stock from various sources, including the Forest Service. All of the species are genetically native to North Carolina. The inmates pot and care for the plants as part of the course.
The plants are available for purchase by municipalities, universities, k-12 schools, non-profits, or any state/federal agency. Individuals and private entities may not purchase plants at this time.
There are a lot of benefits to using Native Plants
Native plants are indigenous plants that have adapted over many years to a specific region. They have evolved to flourish in the geography, hydrology, and microclimates of that region. Native plants grow in communities and provide habitat for the native wildlife.
The movement to live more sustainably has demonstrated many benefits to landscaping with natives. Native plants:
* Do not require fertilizers
* Require less water than lawns
* Reduce air pollution
* Provide shelter and food for wildlife
* Promote biodiversity while retaining the aesthetic qualities of ornamental non-natives.
This sounds like a great project and hopefully teaches some of the inmates a trade they can use when they get out. While the stock may not be available to the general public the WISe Plant Profiles web page is a great resource for anyone wanting to gather information on native plants to grow for wildlife & landscaping.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
