Native Plant Conservation Campaign News: Native plantings for bees, birds and butterflies gain momentum on golf courses, roadsides

December 5, 2019

A new study from the University of Florida has found that planting native wildflowers on golf courses not only benefits pollinating insects but also supports natural pest control and therefore saves time, chemicals and resources.

 

Researchers established wildflower plots on three golf courses in north central Florida. They then compared the number and diversity of pollinators and other flying beneficial insects in flowering plots with that of turfgrass plots. Compared with turf, wildflower plots increased the number of pollinators and beneficial insects, including those that act as natural biocontrol by consuming pest insects. Also, greater native wildflower diversity led to increased natural biocontrol services allowing for reduced pesticide use. 

 

Meanwhile, Georgia’s roadside wildflower program has been updated to require that all trees and other plants used to beautify Georgia's roadways be native to Georgia and grown in a Georgia nursery. The policy seeks increase the market for Georgia native plant farmers. 

 

The program also supports other local businesses. The hobby honey industry, for example, with over 50,000 members statewide, will benefit as Georgia Department of Transportation encourages hives to be placed on private property near native planting sites.

 

The Georgia roadside wildflower program is supported in part by the sale of native plant license plates.

 

Read the Florida golf course study abstract

Read more about the Florida study at the University of Florida
Learn more about creating pollinator habitat on golf courses from the Xerces Society

Learn about the new “Georgia Grown” roadside native plant policy