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The Future is Abundant
A Guide to Sustainable Agriculture

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Native Plants

A native plant presernve is an area in which native plant communities are protected so that their natural interactions can be observed with as little interference as possible from non-native plants, grazing animals or people. Plant preserves maintain diverse gene pools, and give people an opportunity to study and observe the plant forms which have naturally evolved in the location.

In 1927, the Forest Service joined other federal land management agencies in establishing a system of preserves for major native plant ecosystems. Since then, other public agencies and private organizations have joined the effort to preserve natural areas in the nation. The 1979 Atlas of the Pacific Northwest (6th ed.) lists 105 Natural Areas established in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The atlas contains a map showing the location of each of these natural areas and its acreage, as well as the agency or foundation which manages it. Permission to visit these preserves must be obtained from the managing agency.

• Franklin, Jerry F.; Hall, Frederick C.; Dyrness, C.T.; and Maser, Chris. Federal Research Natural Areas in Oregon and Washington: A Guidebook for Scientists and Educators. 1972. Available from USGPO, Superintendent of Documents, Washington, DC 20402.

  Physical, biological and historical features of the 48 Research Natural Areas of the Pacific Northwest.

• Franklin, J.F. "Scientific Reserves in the Pacific Northwest and their Significance for Ecological Research." In Proceedings of the Symposium on Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecological Studies of the Northwest, March 26-27, 1976. Cheney, WA: Eastern Washington State College Press, 1976.
• Kruckeberg, Arthur R. Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1982.

  A beautiful introduction to the diverse and colorful world of native plants that are welcome additions to the garden. Included are valuable notes on plant propagation, design considerations, and plant sources.

• Spurr, Joy. Wild Shrubs, Finding and Growing Your Own. Seattle: Pacific Search Press, 1978.

  Guide to the selection, propagation, and culture of forty ornamental native shrubs. Includes a Landscaping Guide with notations on color, habitat, and edibility of fruit for humans and wildlife.

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