Fun Fact: Some communities are building small rain gardens around storm drains in order to let plants filter runoff before it enters the sewer system.

Fun Fact: The survival of the endangered Kirtland’s warbler relies on a federal program to manage rare jack pine forests in which it nests.

Fun Fact: Until recently, the estimated age of the oldest known plant fossil was 1.2 billion years old. It has now been proven to be 1.6 billion years old.

Fun Fact: Inventors are designing new things every day from plants. Food, medicine, clothing, and shelter are just the beginning. Now inventors are even creating skyscrapers from the lumber of trees—perhaps computer chips will be next!

Fun Fact: Photosynthesis relies on chlorophyll, a pigment that turns leaves green. NASA has mapped the effects of plants producing more chlorophyll in the summer months. When plants turn green, they ramp up photosynthesis and absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide. This phenomenon has caused scientists to refer to forests as Earth’s “lungs.”

Fun Fact: Scientists have discovered that pollinators—particularly bees—are disappearing from the environment at staggering rates. This trend poses a life-threatening problem for plants and for every species that depends on them.

Fun Fact: The field of horticulture includes many different career options, such as scientists, growers, designers, robotics engineers, and sports groundskeepers. Scientists work to improve plant traits such as appearance, yield, and hardiness. Growers plant our seeds, tend our plants, fill our tables with food, and beautify our lives with flowers. Designers imagine the beautiful spaces in which we live and play. Robotics engineers create new ways for machines to help us grow plants. And sports groundskeepers make sure our athletes have safe and beautiful places to play!