by Yuliya Bellinger, Landscape Designer
I want to share something that’s been weighing on my heart lately. As a landscape designer, a gardener, and someone who sees plants as more than just decoration, I’ve come to realize that growing native plants isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about connection, responsibility, and healing.
When I walk through a garden, I don’t just see plants; I see a living, breathing ecosystem.
I see the bees struggling to find food in a world where their habitat is shrinking. I see the soil, rich or depleted, whispering stories of how we care for the earth. I see butterflies searching for the host plants they evolved alongside - plants that, too often, aren’t there anymore.
I know what it’s like to create beauty, to shape landscapes, to design gardens that bring people joy. But I also know that our choices matter.
When we choose native plants, we’re choosing to restore nature's balance.
Native plants aren’t just about sustainability; they’re about resilience. Once established, they thrive without constant intervention. They support wildlife, regenerate soil, and bring back the rhythm of the seasons.
In a world that often feels overwhelming, there’s something grounding about knowing that the simple act of planting milkweed can help save a species.
So, this year, I urge you—consider planting with purpose.
Grow more of what belongs. Give back to the land that gives us so much. Because, when we care for the earth, it has a way of caring for us in return.
A simple way to get started is to attend a free webinar about establishing native gardens that the Brookdale Park Conservancy and I partnered to bring you. We’ll guide you through every step, from choosing the perfect location for your native garden to selecting plants, installing them, and ensuring long-term maintenance—all covered in the webinar and takeaway materials.
Consider volunteering with the Conservancy where all our work is with native plants. Learn from us and help us restore habitats for the plants, animals and insects that evolved together. Our first volunteer event is 3/18, email to register.
Yuliya Bellinger is one of the founders of the Brookdale Park Conservancy
The Brookdale Park Conservancy is an all-volunteer group, funded by donations. Join us for fun, friends, and learning! Or make a donation to help us keep the park beautiful!