 Hi, my name is Isabella. Thank you for stopping by this station of the Bringing Nature Home interactive guide to our urban understory. You will notice that in this station we planted American Wachaisal, Zigzag Goldenrod and Smooth Astor. We plant only native plants here because native plants attract native birds, like the ruby-throated hummingbird, the tough-to-tip mouse, and the Blue Jay. Do you see the Blue Jay? Do you hear it? Throughout the growing season, birds feed on seeds, berries, and nectar these native plants produce. Other birds also feed on native insects that are hosted by these plants. Insects like the Blackberry Looper Moth and the Goldenrod Gala Moth and the Pale Banded Dart. Can you believe that this group of plants is host to an average of 81 native insect species? Are you sold on native plants yet? Well, did you know that baby birds can't get the nutrition they need from seeds? They need insects like caterpillars, native caterpillars. Don't you want more baby Blue Jays and tough-to-tip mice here and in your yard? They're so cute! And do you know what doesn't have native caterpillars? Nearly every plant you'll find in the gardens on your street. That's right. Plants like hydrangeas and yellow irises and tulips aren't host to native insects at all. Poor baby birds. So what can you do? Ask your local garden store to see the native plant section. Or contact a main autobahn for advice on what to plant. Choose plants that will help restore native breeding and habitat for birds. Let's all do our part to bring nature home to Portland because we live in Maine. The way life should be.