STAMFORD, CONN. (Sept. 4, 2014) — Keep America Beautiful (KAB), the nation’s leading nonprofit that builds and sustains vibrant communities, is mobilizing Americans to bolster their local ecosystems by planting native species of trees, shrubs and plants during its third annual National Planting Day, which launches on Saturday, Sept. 6, and takes place throughout the fall planting season

On National Planting Day, Keep America Beautiful’s network of community-based affiliates and partnering organizations spearhead the planting of native species and trees, as well as sustainable community gardens, including fruit and vegetable gardens, all of which results in positive, lasting impact in communities. During the first two years of National Planting Day, more than 13,500 native trees, nearly 28,000 native plants and shrubs, and 65 million wildflowers and seeds were planted.

“Native species are losing ground to suburbanization, fragmented habitats, ornamental plants and invasive species,” said Jennifer Jehn, president and CEO, Keep America Beautiful. “National Planting Day is a call to action to focus our attention on planting more ecologically appropriate, drought-tolerant native species.”

National Planting Day plays a critical role in supporting our country’s natural ecosystem. Today, invasive species compete with and harm plant and animal communities. Natives need fewer resources and less maintenance. Native plants can provide habitat for native wildlife, including important pollinator species (insects, birds, bats) that are necessary for plant reproduction, including the cultivation of crops.

Keep America Beautiful is raising awareness about the importance of native species in restoring balance to local environments through the National Planting Day initiative. Whether you are part of a citywide beautification program, a municipal leader, or a home gardener, you can participate simply by committing to use native species for your fall planting efforts.

Special planting activities will take place in dozens of communities this fall. Contact your local Keep America Beautiful affiliate for details orregister your event online.

About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful is the nation’s leading nonprofit that brings people together to build and sustain vibrant communities. With a national network of community-based affiliates, we work with millions of volunteers who take action in their communities to transform public spaces into beautiful places. Through our programs and public-private partnerships, we engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community’s environment. For more information, visitkab.org, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or view us on YouTube.