Somehow, I don’t even know what to say. I’d made a casual decision to only plant native plants about five years ago (in addition to our consumable produce). That small decision was the sole focus of some of our weekend adventures to go get plants, or other to go hiking and see more of our region’s native landscape.
A couple of weeks ago, I was venting to my partner about feeling this pull—this need—to do more. Maybe it was the endless news cycle, or the weight of the political discourse woven into seemingly everything lately. Either way, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wanted to make a more tangible impact in my community.
While that need was still very fresh on my mind, an opportunity landed in my lap: to become Chapter Director for our local WildOnes. I immediately said yes; connecting people and native plants for a healthy planet is something I can fully get behind. I’ve been doing it in our own little corner, and now it’s time to share it with all of you.
I’m still in awe about how it’s all played out. Excited. Nervous. But mostly just fired up. Ready to “do more.” Ready to dig deep—literally and figuratively—and help grow something meaningful here in our neck of the woods. I have so many ideas for what this chapter can become, and I’m beyond grateful to be on this journey with all of you.
Rooted in a Remarkable Landscape
With my transition into Chapter Director, I’m working our national offices to see if a chapter name change would be in alignment to include a slightly wider area beyond “Youngstown and the surrounding areas.” We’re certainly not getting rid of Youngstown, you got us started, you’re our home. But if we move our central hub just a little bit, we widen our reach into more rural communities in Western Pennsylvania as well as Eastern/Northeastern Ohio.
All that to say: Greetings from the Upper Ohio River Basin! This is one of the potential new chapter names to encompass more of our region, but it is still very much TBD (to be determined). I just didn’t want to wait to start writing some blog posts!
The Upper Ohio River Basin is one of the most ecologically vibrant and historically significant regions in the United States. And I’m not just saying that because I LIVE here. Stretching across northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, our basin is a tapestry of diverse ecosystems—from glacial wetlands and deciduous forests to riparian zones and Appalachian plateaus.
Our watershed (Upper Ohio River Basin) drains into the mighty Ohio River, which itself is the source of drinking water for over five million people. Our region forms the headwaters of this crucial system, meaning what we do here—in our gardens, parks, and communities—impacts the health of everything downstream.
We’re also incredibly lucky to be surrounded by natural beauty and biodiversity hotspots. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, McConnells Mills State Park, and Clear Creek State Forest are just a few of the protected areas that call our region home. These spaces offer refuge and are home to many different types of wildlife, and serve as endless inspiration and opportunity for education, exploration, and restoration for us.
The Upper Ohio River Basin
The basin encompasses a wide array of habitats, each with its own community of native plants and animals:
- Riparian corridors that buffer our streams and rivers from pollutants, providing habitat for amphibians, fish, and waterfowl
- Prairies and meadows buzzing with native bees, monarchs, and goldfinches
- Hardwood forests that support everything from white-tailed deer to scarlet tanagers
- Wetlands that filter water, reduce flooding, and harbor species like marsh marigolds and spotted salamanders
Together, these ecosystems support an incredible range of biodiversity—and they depend on native plants to stay resilient in the face of growing challenges like habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and climate change.
Why Planting Native Plants Matters
Native plants are the foundation of every healthy ecosystem. They’ve co-evolved with local wildlife for thousands of years, forming symbiotic relationships that non-native plants simply can’t replicate.
When we plant native plants, we’re not just beautifying a landscape—we’re rebuilding the food web, from the ground up. We’re providing food and shelter for caterpillars that birds depend on to feed their young. We are restoring habitat for native bees that pollinate our food. We’re ensuring that our watershed remains clean, functional, and climate-resilient.
Native plants:
- Require less water, fertilizers, and maintenance than conventional landscaping
- Deepen the soil with robust root systems that prevent erosion and improve stormwater absorption
- Offer a lifeline to pollinators, 70% of which are in decline
- Crowd out invasive species when planted densely and correctly
- Create connections across fragmented habitats—especially when adopted on a neighborhood scale
In essence: when we plant native plants, we aren’t just making garden choices—we’re creating ecological solutions.
Local Threats, Local Action
Despite our region’s rich ecosystems and biodiversity, it’s not immune to environmental pressures. Residential and Commercial development, lawn monocultures, deforestation, climate change, and aggressive invasive species like Japanese knotweed, garlic mustard, and tree-of-heaven threaten these natural ecosystems that give us clean air and water, necessary resources, and climate regulation.
But here’s the hopeful part: each of us has the power to reverse the trend—right in our own yard.
You don’t need 40 acres or a biology degree to start making an impact. Even a few square feet of native plantings can:
- Feed hundreds of pollinators and birds
- Stabilize soil along a streambank or slope
- Inspire neighbors, schools, and municipalities to follow suit
5 Ways You Can Help Right Now
- Start small, plant smart: Choose a few native species that work for your soil and light conditions. (Need help? We’ve got guides! Email us at [email protected] until we can get them posted on our website) Don’t try to get rid of your lawn in one go. Start small, avoid the overwhelm, and then get addicted.
- Ditch the invasives:Â Remove non-native ornamental plants that offer little ecological value. We’ve started with the highly aggressive invasives in our yard, like Japanese Honeysuckle – that plant just keeps popping up everywhere. Do we have other non-native plants, yes; however, we’re fighting one battle at a time.
- Talk to your neighbors: Share what you’re learning. A street full of native gardens is a wildlife corridor waiting to happen.
- Volunteer locally:Â Join us for restoration workdays, native plant sales, and educational events. Our upcoming events are posted as soon as we know about them!
- Advocate for change:Â Encourage schools, parks, homeowners associations (HOAs), and municipalities to embrace native planting.
Join Our Chapter and Grow With Us
Our Wild Ones chapter exists to support people just like you—curious, passionate, and ready to be part of the solution. And the best part is, every one of us calls this beautiful region home. If you’re in the area, we’d love to have your enthusiasm here. Whether you’re a total beginner or have been gardening with natives for decades, we’re building a community grounded in learning, connection, and action.
When you join us, you gain access to:
- Native plant workshops and speaker events
- Seed swaps and plant sales
- Restoration volunteer days
- Networking with local experts and land stewards
- A welcoming, grassroots movement making real change
Let’s Plant Native Plants—Together
I’m hoping this blog will be your go-to source for regional plant profiles, how-to articles, event updates, and inspiring stories from around our chapter. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to take the next step and start planting native plants—however small—in creating healthier habitats and cleaner waterways across the Upper Ohio River Basin.
So stay a while. Dig in. Connect with us.
We can’t wait to grow alongside you.
🌱
Thank you for reading—and for being part of a brighter, wilder future.