Native plants play a key role in supporting native pollinators, according to several resources and organizations. The use of regionally appropriate plant species is recommended for gardeners, farmers, and land managers interested in fostering healthy pollinator populations.
The California Native Plant Society’s Calscape initiative provides guidance on restoring local habitats by planting native species. Their website offers information on suitable plants for specific locations across California (https://calscape.org).
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation has published a guide tailored to the California Sierra Foothills Region, outlining recommended plants that benefit both pollinators and other beneficial insects (https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/19-003_01_PPBI_CA-SierraFoothills_web.pdf).
Additional educational materials are available from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Marissa V. Ponder, Gordon W. Frankie, Rachel Elkins, and others have authored a publication titled “How to Attract and Maintain Pollinators in Your Garden,” which details practical steps for creating pollinator-friendly gardens (https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8498.pdf). UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden also provides advice on gardening practices that support pollinators (https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/pollinator-gardening).
Resources aimed at younger audiences include the National Wildlife Organization’s “Kids Garden for Wildlife” program, which encourages children to participate in wildlife gardening at home (https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create/At-Home/Kids-Garden-for-Wildlife).
For those seeking comprehensive plant selection guides, Elizabeth L. Ley, Stephen Buchmann, Larry Stritch, and colleagues have developed a regional guide through Pollinator Partnership that addresses the ecological needs of the California Dry Steepe Province (https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/Calif.DrySteppe.rx2_171017_083756.pdf).
Several books provide further insight into habitat creation using native plants:
– Nancy Bauer’s “The California Wildlife Habitat Book: How to Attract Bees, Butterflies, Birds and Other Animals”
– Douglas W. Tallamy’s “Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants”
– Carol Bornstein, David Fross, Bart O’Brien’s “California Native Plants for the Garden”
– Marjorie G. Schmidt and Katherine L. Greenberg’s “Growing California Native Plants”
– The Xerces Society’s “Attracting Native Pollinators: Protecting North America’s Bees and Butterflies”
Local references include publications by the Redbud Chapter of the California Native Plant Society on trees, shrubs, and wildflowers found in Nevada and Placer Counties.
These resources collectively highlight best practices for selecting native flora to promote biodiversity and sustain vital pollinator communities.