Application for Louisiana Certified Habitat Program A project of the Louisiana Native Plant Society (lnps.org)

The Louisiana Native Plant Society and its chapters and partners invite Louisiana residents, businesses, schools, and public institutions to certify their outdoor space as native habitat, which requires plants native to our region. Native plants form the base of all habitat types and natural ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for native wildlife, including birds and pollinators.

Eligibility: Any Louisiana resident, school, organization or business may apply. Cost: $45. Discount options are set by LNPS chapters and partners who have agreed to administer the Louisiana Habitat Certification Program. Submit: (GNO) Give or mail a hard copy of your application with payment to 248 Brooklyn Ave. Jefferson, LA 70121 OR email to [email protected] and pay via paypal at https://www.npi-gno.org/louisiana- habitat-certification/ . Process: Once your application and payment are received, a representative will contact you about the vetting process and may schedule a visit. If your space meets the criteria, your certificate and garden sign will be delivered. If not, your application fee will be returned.

Tell us about your property Name of applicant(s): ______(optional: applying on behalf of ______school/company/office)

Address of site to be certified ______I give permission for this address to be included on a map of all certified sites in Louisiana ___I give permission for the general location, but not address, to be included on a map of all certified sites in Louisiana ___Other______

Describe your site. What parish is it in? Urban, traditional subdivision, rural, something else? Does it have residual prairie, forest, or wetland elements? Include what motivated your decisions to conserve or restore your site, how you decided what to include, when you began, and what observations have been significant for you. Has your site already been certified by another organization? (~250 words. This text may be used in the directory).

I am applying for ___Bronze: 25 different native plant species or 25% of the plants on this site are native. ___Silver: 50 different native plant species or 50% of the plants on this site are native. ___Gold: 75 different native plant species or 75% of the plants on this site are native. An upgrade in certification level is available at any time and at no additional charge once an applicant meets the required criteria. ___I would like to learn more about having my site included on a native garden tour. ___I have shared inspiring images of my site on iNaturalist or elsewhere. Describe______

Best Practices for Gardening for Habitat per National Wildlife Federation, Audubon, Xerces Society

Certification does not require compliance with all of them. We recognize that every property and family have special land uses and preferences.

I adhere to the following best practices related to gardening for habitat: ___ In addition to the diverse foods provided by native plants (nectar, leaves, seeds, fruit), I recognize that healthy habitats also provide water and shelter. Water sources can be birdbaths, misters, or naturally wet areas. Shelter and nesting material are provided by unmown thicket and fallen branches. ___ To put the greatest area into the service as habitat, I mow the part of my lawn or property that my family/organization uses. To conserve ground-nesting pollinators, I keep my mower blade height set high (about 4 inches), and I leave dried grass and leaves in place through winter when possible. ___I rarely use herbicides and insecticides except to spot manage invasive plants or destructive insects. I do not use mosquito repellant systems, nor do I use weed killer liberally in ditches and edging, as these chemicals harm other insects and helpful plants and end up in our watershed. ___I rarely leave soil bare and vulnerable to erosion and weeds. Instead, I use native plants as ground cover or mulch with leaves, recycled yard waste (e.g. public compost), or responsibly sourced material such as pine bark or pine straw, not purchased, bagged cypress mulch whose sources cannot be verified. ___I do not actively propagate Tier 1 invasive plants on my site and when possible take action to control their spread. Five top offenders are Chinese tallow tree (chicken tree), Chinese privet, Japanese honeysuckle, Elephant ear, and Yellow flag iris. Feel free to explain special circumstances for your property: ______

Your property may qualify for special assistance Does your site contain any rare plant or animal species? ______If yes, your site may qualify for additional protection from the state and for higher level certification from us or the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Natural Heritage Program.

Is your site being restored to natural habitat from agricultural or other use? ____If yes, contact US Fish and Wildlife Service or USDA Soil Conservation District for possible government assistance in your restoration

The following is a checklist of ecologically important Gulf Coast native plants commonly found or used in Louisiana landscapes. If you have a Gulf Coast native plant that is not on the list, please add it (common and/or scientific name if known) in the space provided at the end of these listings.

Native Woody Plants (trees, shrubs, woody vines)

Hawthorn, Barberry- Common name Scientific name Cedar, Eastern Red Juniperus virginiana leaf C. berberifolia Cedar, Acacia, Sweet Acacia farnesiana Hawthorn, Atlantic/Southern Chamaecyparis Blueberry C. brachycantha Alder, Black/Hazel Alnus rugosa White thyoides Allspice, Carolina/ Hawthorn, Green C. viridis Cherry, Black Prunus serotina Sweet Shrub Calycanthus floridus Hawthorn, Mayhaw C. aestivalis/opaca Cherry, Choke Aronia arbutifolia Ashes, Native Fraxinus spp. Hawthorn, Parsley C. marshallii Cherry-laurel Prunus caroliniana Ash, Green F. pennsylvanicum Hickories, Native Carya spp. Chinquapin Castanea pumila Ash, Carolina F. caroliniana Coralbean, Hickory, Black C. texana Ash, Pumpkin F. profunda Eastern/Mamou Erythrina herbacea Hickory, Bitternut C. cordiformes

Crabapple, Southern Malus angustifolia Ash, White F. americana Hickory, Mockernut C. tomentosa Rhododendron Creeper, Trumpet Campsis radicans Hickory, Nutmeg C. myristiciformes Azalea, Pink canescens Parthenocissus Azalea, Florida Rhododendron Creeper, Virginia quinquefolia Hickory, PECAN C. illinoensis Flame austrinum Crossvine Bignonia capreolata Hickory, Pignut C. glabra Anise, Star Illicium floridanum Cucumber Tree Magnolia acuminata Hickory, Shagbark C. ovata Anise, Hickory, Cypress, Bald Taxodium distichum Yellow/Florida Illicium parviflorum Water/Bitter Pecan C. aquatica Azalea, Florida Rhododendron Cypress, Pond Taxodium ascendens Flame austrinum Hollies, Native Ilex spp. Cyrilla, Swamp/Titi Cyrilla racemiflora Rhododendron Holly, American I. americana Azalea, Pink canescens Cyrilla, Little-leaf Cyrilla parvifolia Rhododendron Holly, Dahoon I. cassine serrulatum, Devil’s Walkingstick Aralia spinosa Holly, Deciduous viscosum, Osmanthus Possum-haw I. decidua Devilwood americana Azalea, White oblongifolium Holly, Gallberry I. glabra Baccharis/ Dogwood, Flowering Cornus florida Holly, Inkberry I. coriacea Groundsel Bush Baccharis halimifolia Dogwood, Rough- Baccharis, Salt- leaf Cornus drummondii Holly, Winterberry I. verticillata marsh B. angustifolia Dogwood, Stiff Cornus foemina Holly, Yaupon I. vomitoria Bayberry, Southern Morella carolinensis Sambucus Honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos Beautyberry, Callicarpa Elderberry canadensis American americana Honeysuckle, Lonicera Elms, Native Ulmus spp. Trumpet/Red sempervirens Beautyberry, C. americana Hophornbeam, American, White ‘Lactea’ Elm, American U. americana Eastern/Ironwood Ostrya virginica Beech, American Fagus grandifolia Elm, Cedar U. crassifolia Hornbeam, Blackberries/ American/Musclewo Elm, Slippery U. rubra Dewberries Rubus spp. od/Ironwood Carpinus caroliniana Elm, Winged U. alata Birch, River Betula nigra Huckleberry, Elm, Water Planera aquatica Wooly/Hairy Gaylussacia mosieri Blueberries Vaccinium spp. Huckleberry, Fetterbush Lyonia lucida Boxelder Acer negundo Winter/Tree Vaccinium arboreum Buckeye, Fetterbush, Swamp Leucothoe racemosa Hydrangea Bottlebrush Aesculus parviflora Fringetree, Chionanthus Hydrangea, Oakleaf quercifolia American virginiana Buckeye, Red Aesculus pavia Lantana Lantana urticoides Buckthorn, Gordonia Gordonia lasianthus Laurelcherry See Cherrylaurel Carolina/Indian Grape, Wild Vitis spp. Cherry Frangula caroliniana Leadplant Amorpha fruticosa Buckwheat Greenbriar/Catbriar Smilax spp. Leucothoe, Downy Leucothoe axillaris Tree/Black Titi Cliftonia monophylla Gum, Black Nyssa sylvatica Leucothoe, Florida/Honeybells Agarista populifolia Bumelia, Gum Bumelia lanuginosa Gum, Swamp Black Nyssa biflora Cephalanthus Magnolia Buttonbush occidentalis Gum, Tupelo Nyssa aquatica Magnolia, Bigleaf macrophylla Stewartia Liquidambar Magnolia, cucumber M. acuminata Camellia, Silky malacodendron Gum, Sweet styriciflua Magnolia, ‘Little Catalpa Hackberry Celtis laevigata Gem’ M. grandiflora Catalpa, Southern bignonioides Hawthorn, Native Crataegus spp. Magnolia, Pyramid M. pyramidata Magnolia, Southern M. grandiflora Pecan Carya illinoensis Snowbell, American Styrax americana Magnolia, Sweetbay M. virginiana Peppervine Nekemias arborea Snowbell, Bigleaf Styrax grandifolius Persimmon, Oxydendrum Maple, Chalk Acer leucoderme American Diospyros virginiana Sourwood arboreum Maple, Red/Swamp Acer rubrum Pine, Native Pinus spp. Spicebush Lindera benzoin Maple, Silver Acer saccharinum Euonymus Pine, Loblolly P. taeda Maple, Southern Strawberry Bush americana Sugar Acer barbatum Pine, Longleaf P. palustris Sumac, Moonseed/Snailsee Pine, Slash P. elliottii Shining/Dwarf Rhus copallinum d/Coralbead Vine Cocculus carolinus Pine, Spruce P. glabra Sumac, Winged Rhus glabra Mulberry, Red Morus rubra Summer-sweet, Plum, Native Prunus spp. Oaks, Native Quercus spp. Peppervine Clethra alnifolia Plum, Chickasaw P. angustifolia Supplejack/Blackjack Oak, Cherrybark Q. pagoda Plum, Vine Berchemia scandens Oak, Live Q. virginiana Flatwoods/Am. Sloe P. umbellata Sweetspire, Virginia Itea virginica Oak, Laurel Q. laurifolia Plum, Mexican P. mexicana Platanus Toxicodendron Sycamore occidentalis Oak, Nuttall Q. texana Poison Ivy radicans Tulip Tree/Tulip Lireodendron Oak, Overcup Q. lyrata Prickly Zanthoxylum clava- Poplar tulipifera Oak, Post Q. stellata Ash/Toothache Tree herculis Waxmyrtle Morella cerifera Forestiera Oak, Shumard Q. shumardii Privet, Swamp acuminata Willow, Black Salix nigra Hamamelis Oak, Southern Red Q. falcata Persea Redbay borbonia/palustris Witch Hazel virginiana Oak, Swamp Viburnum, Chestnut/Cow Q. michauxii Redbud, Eastern Cercis canadensis Arrowwood Viburnum dentatum Oak, Water Q. nigra Rose, Carolina Rosa carolina Viburnum, Possumhaw Viburnum nudum Oak, White Q. alba Rose, Prairie Rosa setigera Viburnum, Little- Oak, Willow Q. phellos Rose, Swamp Rosa palustris leaf/Walter’s/Schille Osage Orange/Bois r’s Delight Viburnum obovatum d’arc Maclura pomifera St. Johnswort Hypericum spp. Viburnum, Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum rufidulum Palmetto, Dwarf Sabal minor Sassafras Sassafras albidum Silverbell, Two- PawPaw Asimina triloba winged Halesia diptera

Herbaceous plants (ferns, grasses, sedges/rushes and wildflowers)

Common Name Dutchman’s Pipes, Nightshades, or Plant Group Native Aristilochia spp. Native Solanum spp. Name Scientific Name/Genus Obedient Plants, Elephant’s Foots Elephantopus, spp. False- Agave, American Agave virginica Ferns, Native (please list below) dragonheads Physostegia spp.

Alligator-flags Thalia spp. Frog Fruits Phyla spp. Onion, Wild Allium canadense Symphyotrichum/Serioc Garlic, False arpus/Ionactis/Eurybia Pea, Butterfly Crowpoison Nothoscordum bivalve Asters, Wild spp. Chamaecrista

Gauras Gaura spp. Peas, Partridge fasciculata Aster, Stokes Stokesia laevis Pennyworts, Geraniums, Wild Geranium spp. Buttons, Barbara’s Marshallia spp. Native Chrysopsis/Heterotheca Buttonweeds, Goldenasters /Pityopsis spp. Penstemons, Poor Joes Diodia spp. Native (see Beardtongues)

Beardtongues/Pe Goldenrods Solidago spp. Capsicum annuum var. nstemons Penstemon spp. Grasses, Yellow- Pepper, Bird glabrisculum eyed Xyris spp. Bedstraws Gailium spp. Petunias, Wild Ruellia spp.

Grasses, Native (please list below) Beebalms Monarda spp. Phloxes, Native Phlox spp.

Herbertias Herbertia spp. Beggarticks (see Coreopsis) Pickerelweed Pontederia cordata Hibiscus

Bergamot, Wild Monarda fistulosa Hibiscus, Native spp./Kosteletzkya Pink, Fire (See Catchflys)

Bittercress Cardamine spp. Indian Blankets Gaillardia spp. Pink, Indian (See Indian Pink)

Blazing Stars Liatris spp. Indian Pink Spigelia marilandica Pokeberry/Pokew eed Phytolacca americana

Blue Stars Amsonia spp. Indian Plantains Arnoglossum spp. Poppymallows Callirhoe spp.

Bluecurls Trichostema spp. Indigos, False Baptisia spp. Primroses, Native Oenothera spp.

Blue-eyed Grasses Sisyrinchium spp. Irises, Native Iris spp. Rattlesnake Bonesets, Ironweeds Vernonia spp. Masters Eryngium spp. Thoroughworts Eupatorium spp. Rosinweeds/Com Jewelweed Impatiens capensis Buttercups Ranunculus spp. pass Plants Silphium spp.

Joe-pye Weeds Eupatorium spp. Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa Rosepinks Sabatia spp.

Larkspurs, Native Delphinium spp. Butterweed Packera glabellus Rushes Juncus spp.

Lillies, Rain Zephyranthes spp. Camphorweeds Pluchea spp. Sages, Native Salvia spp.

Lily, Spider Hymenocallis lireosme Cannas, Native Canna spp. Sedges, Flat Cyperus spp.

Lily, Swamp Crinum americanum Cardinalflower Lobelia cardinalis Sedges, Caric Carex spp.

Lizard’s Tail Catchflys Silene spp. Sida (see Cuban Jute)

Lobelias, Native Lobelia spp. Cattails Typha spp. Skullcaps, Native Scutellaria spp.

Lupines, Native Lupinus spp. Clematis, Native Clematis spp. Snakeroot, Black Sanicula canadense

Lettuce, Wild Lactuca spp. Club, Golden Orontium aquaticum Snakeroot, White Ageratina altissima

Mallows, Native (See Hibiscus) Spiderworts, Compass Plants (see Rosinweeds) Native Tradescantia spp. Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum Coneflowers, Rudbeckia spp., Ratibida Spikerushes, Black-eyed Susans spp. Maypop, Passion Native Eleocharis spp. vine, Native Passiflora spp. Coneflowers, Sunflowers, Purple Echinacea spp. Meadowbeauties Rhexia spp. Native Helianthus spp.

Coreopsis, Native Coreopsis spp. Cirsium spp./Sonchus Meadow Rues Thalictrum spp. Crownbeards, Thistles, Native spp.

Mexican Hat Ratibida columnifera Wingstems Verbesina spp. Tickseeds, Native (see Coreopsis)

Milkweeds, Native Asclepias spp. Cuban Jute Sida rhombifolia Turk’s Cap Malvaviscus arborea

Cypress, Standing Ipomopsis rubra Mints, Mountain Pycanthemum spp. Verbenas, Vervains, Native Verbena spp. Daisy Fleabanes Erigeron spp. Mistflower, Blue Conoclinum coelestinum

Dayflowers, Morning glories, Violets, Native Viola spp. Native Commelina spp. Native Ipomeas pp. Wakerobins, Trilliums, Native Trillium spp.

Have native plant species not on the checklist? Add them here:

Using the resources below, I have counted at least ______native plant species on my property. This amounts to about ___% of the area of my property. My property therefore qualifies for (Circle one: bronze, silver or gold) level certification.

Bronze: 25 different native plant species or 25% of the plants on this site are native. Silver: 50 different native plant species or 50% of the plants on this site are native. Gold: 75 different native plant species or 75% of the plants on this site are native.

Refer to the Guide to the Plants of Louisiana as needed: https://warcapps.usgs.gov/PlantID/. The guide is exhaustive and includes all plants, not only natives. Note that the species does not have to be native to your parish, so long as it is native to the Southeast US.