The city of Shawano this week was the recipient of the first-ever Earth Angel Award presented by the Wolf River Chapter of the Wild Ones.
The Wild Ones is a national organization with local chapters that promote the use of native plants and natural landscaping to benefit the critical ecosystems that sustain life.
The Earth Angel Award was created by the Wolf River Chapter to recognize the efforts of commercial and municipal entities to incorporate native plants in their landscaping.
Bob Dumke, president of the local chapter, presented the award at Wednesday’s Common Council meeting to Shawano Parks and Recreation Director Matt Hendricks for use of native plants in the park system over the past year.
“The city is to be commended for the responsible use of its resources,” Dumke said.
Dumke took a few moments to explain the importance of native plants, which are defined as those that existed in North America before the arrival of colonists and European immigrants.
“Anything that was here before we showed up would be native plants,” he said.
Dumke said native plants are vital to the ecosystem, and the wildlife that depend on them, even though most people might not understand the difference between those plants and foreign plants introduced into the environment.
“It’s a small distinction in many people’s minds, but it has a great benefit,” he said.
Hendricks said revitalizing native plants has been part of the plan for development over the past year at both the Spirit of Shawano and Kuckuk parks.
“It enriches the experience of the park user, and attracts butterflies and birds and things that are part of our ecosystem,” he said.
Hendricks said the plants also provide educational opportunities. He said some of the department’s long-term planning would include adding signage to explain the plants to visitors.
He said efforts would continue to promote native plants in the park system.
“We hope to continue working with groups like the Wild Ones over the years to come,” he said.
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