A curated collection of valuable resources for invasive plant management and native species preservation.
The Gardening for Life Project is a non-profit organization that provides resources for gardeners and landscapers to help them create a more sustainable and healthy environment. They offer a variety of resources, including a list of recommended native plants, a list of banned invasive plants, and a list of recommended trees for the Appalachian Mountains.
Discover native plants that support pollinators in Western North Carolina. This comprehensive guide from Bee City USA – Asheville includes trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials that provide essential habitat and food sources for our local bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
The Asheville Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) outlines requirements for development in Asheville in Chapter 7 – Development. In Article 19, Tree Canopy Preservation Requirements, you’ll find lists, updated in 2024, for recommended species of plants and banned invasive species.
Please note: if you navigate to “code library” from the city’s website, you’ll find an outdated list of recommended species that included invasive plants. Follow the link embedded in underlined title above to access the updated lists.
Raven Invasive Plant Management is a member. Raven often references their lists of recommended native plants by category: trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses. The website also has NC’s invasive plants grouped by threat level.
Find a local chapter and follow their work on Facebook and the website.
Streambanks and riverbanks that have been cleared of native vegetation suffered extreme erosion when Hurricane Helene ripped through WNC and beyond. They will continue to, if we don’t take steps to restore them.
It’s important to fortify these areas with native vegetation to mitigate the effects of water, which include:
We live in a temperate rainforest where high levels of rain and water are not only expected but are critical to maintaining the various ecosystems that exist. Take steps now to protect our streams and rivers from future damage.
Raven Invasive Plant Management is a member. Raven spoke at the Upstate Chapter’s June 2025 meeting, and you can watch it here: Raven at SCNPS Upstate Chapter
The South Carolina Native Plant Society (SCNPS) is a community of nature lovers, hikers, gardeners, environmental advocates, students, educators, photographers, land managers, botanists, naturalists, and others representing many different talents, interests and backgrounds.
In terms of advocacy, no organization stands out more in Raven’s mind than this group. You can find a local chapter and follow their work on the website and Facebook.