Planting for a Greener Tomorrow: Plantemonium 2023 Recap

On October 7th, volunteers converged on Rosewood Nature Study Area, armed with gloves and shovels. The mission? To plant native species and restore the wetland habitat at Rosewood. Each spring Rosewood hosts a volunteer planting event called Plantapalooza and each fall, a second yearly event held is called Plantemonium. This past weekend was Plantemonium 2023!

We had a bustling group of community members turn out for the event including members from several local volunteer organizations. With over 70 people of all ages signed up for the event, it was a great turn out to support the wetland restoration. It's a bit like a symphony, with each participant contributing a note to the natural harmony of this wetland ecosystem.

The Nevada Division of Forestry provided over 500 plants for the event! Some of the plants that went in the ground this weekend include Great Basin Wild Rye, Thickspike Grass, Bluebunch, Evening Primrose, Blanket Flower, two varieties of penstemon, Desert Peach and more! Volunteers in three groups worked on our Pollinator Garden or; planted seeds in our new hoop house or; planted native plants on a tract of wetland habitat to stabilize the streambed.

One of the core messages of Plantemonium is the importance of native plants. These are the unsung heroes of our environment, offering a wealth of benefits to our local wildlife and landscapes. Native plants are like the key players in an orchestra, they provide food, shelter, and a sense of belonging to countless critters. By planting these native species, we're essentially rolling out the green carpet for the creatures who call our wetlands home; like nature's equivalent of a welcome mat! In fact, this past Saturday during the event, several birds and bugs were out enjoying the wetland and the work that has already been done at Rosewood.

This past week was also Desert Tortoise Week. It's a week dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges that desert tortoises face in their natural habitats. It promotes awareness for Nevada’s state reptile and highlights the need for habitat restoration and preservation. Habitat loss is a pressing issue for much of Nevada’s wildlife so Tortoise Week was an excellent time to host our annual native planting event. Especially, since this year we welcomed Peavine Pete to our team as our own resident tortoise and Habitat Conservation Ambassador.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of Plantemonium and Tortoise Week was the sense of community. People from all walks of life came together for a common purpose to make a positive impact on our local environment and remind us of the incredible power of community-driven conservation.

As we look back on Plantemonium and Tortoise Week, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who joined us in person and everyone who enjoyed our Tortoise Week videos on social media. Thank you for your presence, enthusiasm and support. Without our volunteers, events like these wouldn't be the same.

In the end, Plantemonium and Tortoise Week are more than just events; they are a celebration of the natural world and a reminder of our role as stewards of the environment. We planted seeds that will grow and enhance our communities’ livability and open spaces.

Here's to many more Plantemoniums and Tortoise Weeks in the years to come! If you missed this event and you want to come check out the progress at Rosewood, we are hosting a Wicked Movie Night for families on Oct. 20, you can learn more here. If you’d like to learn more about Tortoise Week, including any community events that continue statewide for the rest of the month please find out more here. Finally, sign-up for our newsletter or follow us on social media to hear when registration opens for our Spring 2024 Plantapalooza. See you there!