I am submitting comments here on the Willow Road landscaping materials you will choose.
I very strongly encourage you to choose 100% California native plants. My reasons are multiple.
1) Menlo Park will save water because native plants use less water and are in a natural rhythm with our summer dry, winter wet climate.
2) To preserve natural habitat for wildlife. Humans are expanding into natural areas constantly, shrinking habitat for birds and mammals and insects. In fact, surprisingly, insects may be the most endangered as their populations are plummeting throughout the populated world. Some characterize it as an insect apocalypse. Insects are quite literally the most important member in the food chain. Without them life as we know it could not exist. Therefore they may be the most important species to help by preserving natural habitats for them. That can only be done by providing them with the plants they co-evolved with - native California plants, preferably native to this area.
3. Oak trees may be the most important species to plant because they are hosts to more insects than any other native plants.
4) This is an important opportunity to showcase how beautiful native plants can be. We need to encourage home owners and business properties to plant natives for all the same reasons and you can help to accomplish that by designing a beauriful native landscape.
Thank you for listening.
