For the first week of the Green Muslims’ Ramadan Challenge, we want to see the native flora in your area. Learn more about native plants and tag us in a picture of you taking care of one in nature or even plant one yourself. Be sure to tag us by April 17th for a chance to win a small token of appreciation (5 winners per week)

If you’re not sure what’s native in your area, the National Wildlife Federation can help! Simply click here and enter your zip code!

Wondering why we chose native flora? Here are some reasons:

• Native plants require less water than lawns and help prevent erosion and results in less rain-water run off

• Gardening with native plants means using less fertilizer and pesticides than non-native species

• Native plants provide food and shelter for wildlife and some native species require certain native plants for survival

• Biodiversity is closely linked to specific habitats and the living and non-living features of that habitat. To protect biodiversity means to keep native plants in and invasive species out.