Missoula workshop encourages native plant use

Missoula, Mont. — A University of Montana students' capstone project in Missoula is focused on helping people make spring planting choices that work better for city spaces.

Missoula Urban Demonstration, or MUD, hosted a Boulevard Biodiversity Workshop with a group of University of Montana students. The workshop centered on ways to make yards, gardens and boulevard strips along streets more supportive of nature.

The students explained that planting native species can bring several benefits in urban areas. They also covered how those plants can reduce fertilizer use and support local pollinators.

Maiya Roelen, a University of Montana senior, said the approach can also help cities adapt to changing conditions.

“Native plants are more resilient than invasive species and they use less water. They don't need pesticides. Really, it's about improving the urban landscape in a way that can withstand some of these changes that are coming,” said Roelen.

Another University of Montana senior, Morgan Sandau, said even small updates at home can matter.

“This is something small that people can do to embrace what the ecosystem should be. [To] get rid of the monoculture and try to embrace native plants that were here and that are more resilient to the temperatures and conditions of this place anyway,” said Sandau.

Roelen said the bigger idea is to see urban spaces as part of the natural world too.

“It's important to recognize that nature exists in urban spaces. And we do have immense impacts on the natural environment as people. And so, if we can learn to more healthfully coexist with nature in our urban environments, I think that that is a great opportunity,” said Roelen.

They hope to keep doing more work in the area to encourage more nature-friendly planting in Missoula.