California is in the midst of a pretty bad drought, and it does not look like it will be letting up any time soon. At the same time, industrialization and taking advantage of our mild climate has left California's ecosystem damaged. With all the renovations happening on campus, now is the time to try and heal California. We ask that you consider making more of the new landscaping plants that are locally native to California.
Did you know:
-At one time, California was a treasure trove of biodiversity, and to this day we have a number of unique plant communities.
-California native plants cooperate and share resources with each other through a complex system of mycorrhiza, fungi that connect plants in a community. Non natives do not use this mycorrhizal connection. Or use it to sequester resources.
-California natives evolved in this climate. That means, once established, they require no additional irrigation, no fertilizer, and no soil amendments.
-native plants support native birds, bees, and butterflies. On top of being aesthetically pleasing, our native pollinators are often more effective at crop pollination than non native pollinators.
-native bees do not suffer from colony collapse. Since many of them do not love in colonies.
-native plants look good year round, unlike many non natives.
In California, we pride ourselves on being progressive. We lead tech innovation (hence the name Silicon Valley), we have been at the forefront of supporting human rights reform, and more. It is time for California to take a stand for the environment. It is not enough to simply reduce destruction, we must actively repair nature. San Jose State can be an example and restore a slice of California's native ecosystem. With the drought and still in a recession, native landscaping will save money and resources. Non native landscapes require additional irrigation, fertilizing, soil amendments, and many non natives suffer from diseases, pests, or can be invasive. California natives require no fertilizer or soil amendments, and many have no problems, which means tons of herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides do not need to be used to keep the natives happy. A native landscape does not become invasive, and a healthy native plant community suppresses invaders through its mycorrhizae. SJSU already has some native landscaping, why not continue with it?
Bottom line:
-Using plants locally native to California will save precious resources.
-reduced maintenance costs because the plants would be ones that evolved here, so less money spent on upkeep.
