Planting native plants in your garden has a positive impact on wildlife diversity, from bugs to birds. Doug Tallamy, an advocate for reintroducing native plants, found that native trees attracted significantly more caterpillars and species compared to a non-native tree. Caterpillars are important for baby birds’ survival, as they are their main source of food. Native plants have co-evolved with wildlife and provide specific benefits to local species. To find native plants for your region, search for “native plants of [your city, state]” and match scientific names at the nursery. Native plants can help achieve various gardening goals, such as food production, blooming flowers, and supporting wildlife. The Native Plant Societies page on the U.S. Forest Service site is a great resource for further information.
https://marisamorby.com/native-planting-intro/