[PROJECT UNDER CONSTRUCTION – announcement coming soon!]
Northeast Ohio Native Habitat Corridor
Creating bird and pollinator habitat while connecting communities, block by block
The Northeast Ohio Native Habitat Corridor is a growing movement of native gardens uniting to create massive collective benefit for wildlife and people. Private and public green spaces ranging from balcony gardens to prairie plantings are stepping stones of safe passage throughout the region for birds and pollinators while introducing an abundance of new sources of food, water, shelter, and places to raise their young. Meanwhile, people are deepening neighborhood connections, sharing a wealth of knowledge around native plants and wildlife, and breathing fresher air together.
We envision the corridor as a movement spreading from garden to garden, block to block, and city to city; ultimately creating a healthier and more connected region for people and pollinators throughout Northeast Ohio.
Who are we?
The Northeast Ohio Native Habitat Corridor is an initiative of Wild Ones Greater Cleveland, inspired by other neighborhood-based projects like the Pollinator Pathway and the Heights Native Pollinator Pathway. We aim to equip participants within our region to deepen community and spread knowledge in their own neighborhoods, backed up by our active club of native plant enthusiasts. This initiative furthers Wild Ones’ mission to promote native landscapes through education, advocacy and collaborative action.
Our collective habitat is rapidly expanding as seasoned gardeners and novices alike share in the joy of growing together. You can join this movement today by displaying a yard sign and registering your existing native garden, or by starting fresh with one of our convenient native plant kits!
Why native plants?
Dwindling biodiversity is a threat to the foundation of life on earth. In the last century alone, we’ve lost millions of acres of diverse ecosystems. Native plants help protect and restore biodiversity, improve air and water quality and provide wildlife with quality food and shelter. Our vision is native plants and natural landscapes in every community.
Corridors, community, connectivity
With your help, we aim to transform Northeast Ohio’s landscape, block-by-block. This neighborhood approach is important for a couple of reasons. Research shows that people are more likely to try natural landscaping when their neighbors do the same. Community efforts can influence neighborhood landscaping norms and provide people with gardening advice and support.
From an ecological perspective, neighborhood efforts can create connectivity for native flora and fauna. A neighborhood full of native gardens is greater than the sum of its parts, and together, several gardens can support species with greater habitat needs. Native gardens can also create corridors between larger natural areas, allowing creatures like birds, reptiles, insects, and amphibians to move and migrate.
Become an ambassador!
We are creating tools to equip you to spread knowledge in your own neighborhood and community! To invite a volunteer speaker to your neighborhood meeting, garden club, or even garden party, please reach out to [email protected]. We also have printable brochures to hand out to your neighbors, or anyone else who asks about your garden.
Habitat Corridor Map
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