the program


​Lahontan Audubon Society is now partnering with the National Audubon Society in the Native Plants for Birds program. We have developed a comprehensive list of plants native to Northern Nevada using the National Audubon Society's Native Plant Finder.  Native plant gardens benefit wildlife, the environment and people too.  Locally sourced native plants also help support small businesses and the surrounding community. By planting native plants in your garden, you are providing prime habitat with adequate food and shelter for birds and other native wildlife to take advantage of.   

If you are attracting birds to your garden, make sure that it is safe for birds. Read Audubon's Reducing Collisions page to learn how you can protect your backyard birds from fatal window strikes. 

Resources

Buy Native Plants & Shop Local:
Moana Nursery: Now has three locations in the Reno area. Their website has A TON of information and resources on landscaping and gardening! Great Basin Seed: Online bulk seed store ​
Bird-Friendly Gardening Advice & Tips:
To Help Birds This Winter, Go Easy on Fall Yard Work (Audubon.org)
Making Buildings Safe for Birds (Audubon.org)
Wildflower Ethics and Native Plants (US Forest Service)
Identification of Common Landscape Pests and Beneficial Organisms in Nevada (UNR Cooperative Extension)
Tips for Lower-risk Pest Control (UNR Cooperative Extension)
Mulches for Nevada Landscapes (UNR Cooperative Extension)
Common Plant Problems in Northern Nevada: Look for C.L.U.E.S.  (UNR Cooperative Extension) 
​Designing Landscapes for Northern Nevada's Arid Climate (UNR Cooperative Extension)

DIY Bird-Garden
How to Make a Birdbath (Audubon.org)
17 Tips for Making Your Backyard Wildlife Friendly on a Budget (Audubon.org)
Brighten Up Your Balcony or Patio with a DIY Native-Plant Garden (Audubon.org)

Native Plant Research and Facts:
Migratory Birds Like Native Berries Best (Audubon.org)
New Research Further Proves Native Plants Offer More Bugs for Birds (Audubon.org)
Native, or Not So Much? Native plants transformed into flashy “nativars” may look pretty, but are they good for wildlife? (NWF.org)
Cultivating Change: Wildlife-friendly gardening shows promise for restoring biodiversity in our increasingly urban world. ​(NWF.org)

Local Resources & Organizations:
Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation
Nevada Native Plant Society:  Find, select, and cultivate native Nevada plant species for personal gardens and landscaping, sometimes including rare or endangered species.
University of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extensions: Providing information, programs and training grounded in research to help residents and businesses manage gardens, trees and landscapes.
The Great Basin Native Plant Project: Focused on researching and developing native plant restoration methods and projects in the Great Basin
BLM Nevada Native Plants Program

Additional Plant Databases:
Audubon's Native Plant Database: Input your zip code to get a list of native plants more specific to your location. 
  • Watch this video to learn how to use the Audubon Native Plant Database.
USDA PLANTS Database: The PLANTS Web site is a single source of standardized information about plants. This database focuses on vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the U.S. and its territories. 
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database  

​Other Resources:
North American Native Plant Society
National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC)
The Hummingbird Society
Audubon Plants for Birds Database
​Container Garden