As home renovators, restorers, and house flippers, HGTV hosts have inspired millions to create their own personal paradise by repurposing building materials, home décor, and even the homes themselves. Every episode impacts our environment by keeping usable items out of landfills. Since Fixer Upper won us over in 2013, we have learned how to save home energy costs by installing efficient appliances and windows and installing HVAC systems that will sustain us for generations.

Now we are asking you to take your influence one step further – by promoting the use of native plants in your landscape planning. With each home you feature, I urge you to make a few small but critical changes. Highlight native plants in place of non-native and invasive selections. Plant a few native perennials, shrubs, and trees among colorful annuals. And educate your audience by dedicating 30 seconds in each episode to the “why” of native gardening. 

A renowned expert in this field is University of Delaware Wildlife Ecology Professor Doug Tallamy. Please take 24 minutes to watch Dr. Tallamy’s video, “What’s the Rush?” in which he explains the urgency of replacing lost habitat by planting native flowers, shrubs, and trees. The food chain we all need depends on it. 

https://homegrownnationalpark.org/whats-the-rush/ 

By watching the video, we are confident you will be inspired to use your platform for this critical cause. We hope you will see it as a responsibility. Here's a start: 

“Your landscaping includes vibrant color and contrast from annuals. By adding native plants, your yard is going to change with each season as your natives spread and fill in this space over the years. No more buying new annuals every season to fill your flowerbeds. Native plants require less water and maintenance, and there is nothing more beautiful than bringing more birds and pollinators to your yard. The only way to do that is plant what is native to your area.” 

HGTV’s influence on consumers is already established. As shoppers, we look for brands we see on HGTV and refer to your hosts as though we know them personally. Your design decisions have a ripple effect that surpasses the HGTV audience well into the commercial market. That's why we need you and your beloved hosts to sprinkle the language of native gardening throughout your programming. The changes we are suggesting can help sustain our environment in monumental ways.

The U.N. goal is to conserve 30% of the planet by 2030; 50% by 2050. We urgently need North American homeowners to accomplish the goal, and you have their attention.

Please make these changes in your future projects.