Building Community Awareness of the Benefits of Native Plants
HSV Audubon has submitted a proclamation for consideration to the HSV POA. It will be on the board agenda for March 20, 2024. In years past the week of April 22 (Earth Day) was Native Plant Week in Hot Spring Village.
Native Plant Month would recognize the importance of native plants in bird-friendly communities.
Native Plant Proclamations in Previous Years
This is not the first time the Hot Springs Village Property Owners’ Association has issued a proclamation for native plants. The first year was in 2020, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of HSV. Unfortunately, that was also on the heels of what we now refer to simply as Covid. The second time was in 2022.
Native plants and birds have evolved together, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. Planting and preserving native vegetation is a key strategy in promoting biodiversity and supporting the health and vitality of bird populations.
HSV Audubon supports and encourages these proclamations in order to increase awareness of the value of native plants to help restore and retain our bird populations by offering the food sources, nesting sites, cover and shelter they need to survive and thrive.
In a cover letter to the POA asking for consideration of the proclamation, Norma Wall, HSV Audubon president, said this proclamation is designed to:
1. Bring attention to the value of native plants to improve the survival rate of Arkansas birds.
2. Recognize Hot Springs Village as a bird-friendly community.
3. Encourage the use of drought resistant native plants to help reduce water usage, reduce heating effects and energy demands, minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides and improve the quality of storm water runoff and climate resiliency.
Community awareness is vital. Please give this your serious consideration.