Many services native plants provide are bird, bee and butterfly habitat, reduced lawn maintenance, and support of healthy water systems. The New River Valley Regional Commission began collaborating on the Plant SWVA Natives Campaign in 2019. Since then, the project has grown to include partners across Southwest Virginia.
The objectives of the Plant Virginia Natives and its regional counterparts, like Plant SWVA Natives, are to increase demand and use of Virginia native plants; increase the availability of native plants at local plant retailers; increase understanding and identification of what a native plant is, why it is important, and what it looks like; increase Virginia grown native plant stock; and, increase collaboration and coordination among partners interested in native plant education.