This month, we are shifting our focus to our “conservation”, one of the four main pillars of our 2030 Sustainability Strategy. In line with that, the focus of this month is specifically on native grasses. There are numerous environmental benefits associated with planting native grasses, which we will cover throughout the month. But, to start, I want to talk about what native grasses actually are.

Native grasses are species that are indigenous to a particular region. According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, before European settlers arrived, Kentucky was covered in over three million acres of native grasses! These grasses were essential to the survival of a wide variety of wildlife. However, following permanent settlement, there was a significant decline in the presence of native grasses in the area. Despite this, these grasses remain highly beneficial to their native environments.

In Kentucky, some of the main native grass species include Little Bluestem, Pink Muhly Grass, Bottlebrush Grass, River Oats and Switchgrass. Here is a list including these and more, and if you live in Kentucky and check it out, you may be surprised by how many you recognize! Each state has grasses native to their specific area, so if you aren’t from Kentucky, I invite you to use this as an opportunity to do some research! What many people think are weeds upon first sight are actually incredibly beneficial plants that, without getting too in the weeds (pun intended) about their benefits, provide habitat and food sources for wildlife, sequester carbon, stabilize soil and help with erosion control. On top of this, they are just beautiful and grow easily in their native regions, making them a wonderful addition to any landscape.

Supporting the growth of native grasses is something you can easily do at home. This month, join us in learning about the importance of native grasses and carry that knowledge with you into the future. What is your favorite native grass?