What is
this project all about?
Springfield Township is located in north Oakland County, in
southeast Michigan, at the headwaters of four rivers: the Huron,
Shiawassee, Clinton and Flint. The Township has long had a
strong commitment, through its evolving land use policies and
practices, to protect and preserve its natural resources, which are
highly valued by Township residents and add to their quality of
life. |
- What is a Native Plant?
- Why Should We Design with Native Plants?
- Myths About Using Native Plants
- Plants to Avoid
- Getting Started
- List of Local/Regional Nurseries and Consultants
- Typical Landscape Cross-section
- How the Database Fits with Other Township Initiatives
- Who to Contact for More Information
- Search the plant list.
- More functionality on CD
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A recent study, the Shiawassee &
Huron Headwaters Resource Preservation Project, identified the
existence within the Township of rare, high quality natural resource
systems of global significance. Threats to these ecosystems
were also identified, -- among them, the impact caused by the spread
of non-native "invasive" plants. To address this
threat, landscaping with native plants and preserving existing
native vegetation were identified as key tools for protecting and
restoring natural resources.
Based on these findings, it became evident to the Township that
it cannot fully succeed in its goal of protecting natural resource
systems unless native plants are more commonly used for landscaping
and greater efforts are made to preserve existing native vegetation.
The Springfield Township Native Vegetation Enhancement Project,
of which this database is a part, is intended to make it both
enjoyable and as easy as possible for homeowners, developers and
others to use native plants.
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This database is not an exhaustive
list of all plants native to the area; rather the list is
intended to provide a good starting point for those interested in
obtaining commercially available native plants. Although the
native plants listed in the database are drawn primarily from field
inventories conducted in Springfield Township, many of these plants
are also native to other southeast Michigan communities and to areas
with topography, soils and climate similar to Springfield Township.
The Springfield Township Native Vegetation Enhancement Project
is funded by Springfield Township and by a grant from the Great
Lakes National Program Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. In developing the format for the database, we're
especially grateful to the members of the project's Advisory
Committee -- whose interest, enthusiasm and support transformed an
idea into reality. It's our hope and intent that the database
information created for this project will be enjoyed and used not
just by residents of Springfield Township, but also by homeowners, developers and others from throughout Oakland
County, the Midwest, and beyond.
--Charter Township of Springfield |
