Spreading the Seeds of Native Conservation!
As our petition to adopt the Humboldt Lily (Lilium humboldtii) as Long Beach's official municipal flower continues to gain momentum, we are focusing on how we can actively restore and celebrate local biodiversity right in our own neighborhoods!
Establishing a municipal flower isn't just about official recognition—it’s about encouraging hands-on environmental stewardship, supporting local pollinators, and restoring native habitats across Southern California.
If you want to start bringing native flora into your own garden or local community spaces, here are some incredible accounts and resources worth following:
Get Native Seeds & Seed Bombs: Check out @california_native_plants and @bloombombs_org to source native seeds and seed bombs to start planting locally!
Learn More About Local Ecosystems & Food Forests: Explore accounts like @jasonjourneyman, @sacramentofoodforest, and @talknerdytomecalifornia for great insights on native species, urban foraging, food forests, and ecological education.
Free native milkweed seeds are available for California residents and native plant advocates through several direct programs:
1. Live Monarch Foundation (Free Mail Request)
The Live Monarch Foundation distributes free native milkweed seeds (including Narrow-Leaf Milkweed / Asclepias fascicularis, which is native to Southern California) to individuals, gardens, and community projects.
How to get them: Send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to the Live Monarch Foundation. They will send back a pack of 15+ native seeds along with planting instructions.
Website: livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds
2. The Monarch Fellowship (California Community Hubs)
The Monarch Fellowship operates volunteer native plant hubs across California that distribute free native milkweed and nectar plants to support local pollinator corridors.
How to get them: Use their interactive California map to locate a nearby community hub or sign up on their site to receive free seeds/plants when local distributions open.
Website: monarchfellowship.org
3. Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SAMO Fund)
For Southern California specifically, SAMO Fund grows and gives away native milkweed plants for free to the public, community gardens, and schools through their Monarchs and Milkweed program.
Website: samofund.org/milkweed
STRONG RECOMMENDATION ALERT‼️
Strongly recommend Narrow-Leaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) or Woollypod Milkweed (Asclepias kotolo), which are native to the Long Beach/LA region. It is advised to avoid non-native Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), as it can disrupt Monarch migration patterns and harbor parasites in non-frost areas.
How You Can Help Us Keep Growing:
1. Share the Petition: Help us reach our next signature goal so we can present a strong community message to the Long Beach City Council!
2. Plant Local: Consider adding native California species to your yard or garden to support native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
3. Connect with Us: Do you know of local seed-swaps, native plant nurseries, or community gardens in Long Beach? Drop a comment below!
Thank you all for your ongoing support and for helping us plant the seeds of change!