The benefits of native plants was the theme for the June meeting of the Salisbury Township Environmental Advisory Council.

It wasn’t all talk. Free trees and bushes were offered to attendees.

Two speakers addressed the June 19 EAC meeting in the township municipal building.

Barbara Beck, naturalist, artist, Bird Town coordinator, Richland Township, Bucks County, spoke about the relationship between native plants, birds and insects.

Maggie Wallner, conservation ecologist, Lehigh County Conservation District, spoke about plants and trees for high water table areas.

“If you call me a tree-hugger, I wouldn’t be offended,” Beck began her PowerPoint presentation.

“Native plants are indigenous to an area,” Beck explained.

For example, there are 140 species of milkweed, 11 native to Pennsylvania, Beck said.

“You do not have milkweed, you don’t have monarchs [butterflies],” Beck said.

“Native plants tend to be heartier and stronger and are relatively low-maintenance,” Beck said.

“Personally, I think plants are underrated,” Wallner said.

“Plants suck up water and hold onto water,” Wallner explained as she reviewed a list of trees and shrubs for high water table areas.

“Plant natives. Build your ecological literacy,” Wallner recommended.

“Invest in your landscaping,” Wallner added.

A good source is the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which was updated in 2023, Wallner said.

The link to the map is: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/pages/map-downloads.

After the presentations and questions and answers, plants were distributed in the parking lot of the municipal building.

The EAC is next scheduled to meet 7 p.m. Aug. 21 in the municipal building meeting room.

Salisbury Township municipal meetings include: 7 p.m. June 26, planning commission and 7 p.m. June 27, board of commissioners, also in the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.