Why Native Landscaping
Benefits
Reduced maintenance and water use
Creation and preservation of local ecosystems for wildlife and fauna
Sense of history and place
Overall climate resilience including erosion, fire, and drought tolerance
“After converting my own yard to a native garden, it started attracting resident birds such as American robin and California towhee dispersing down from the Cleveland National forest through the San Juan Creek to come to my yard. Annual flowering herbs are distributed by Allen's hummingbirds, which have consistently nested here.”
– Marcus Goncalves
“I am a passionate native gardener and love to watch the insects and wildlife who visit my pocketed ecosystem. I was honored to have my Santee home featured in the San Diego Native Plant Tour in 2018.”
– Lindsay Teunis
“While the benefits of native plants are many, it is their unique ability to connect our designed landscapes with our favorite wild places that resonates most with me. I don't always have time to get to the mountains, but thanks to the native landscape we planted, I have the mountains in my own yard.”
– Patrick Montgomery
“Creekside Park at Civita is a linear park that includes elevated boardwalks that create the effect that visitors are perched or floating over a water quality treatment basin. California native plants are integrated into the landscape, blending urban amenities seamlessly with the natural environment.”
– Jennifer Montgomery
"I've always seen the beauty in combining art and science to maximize life quality, while respecting nature. For me, the dream is a California native garden combined with useful western herbs and forage species. I take inspiration from vignettes in the field and long-time herbalist mentors, with the aim of designing useful, balanced, and resilient habitats for all."
– Shirley Innecken