Welcome!
We are a grassroots group in the Eastern Upper Peninsula who are concerned about our Native Species. Understanding land stewardship is extremely important if you are interested in caring for your land and leaving it in good shape for future generations. Working to maintain and preserve species is an important component of this stewardship. Our mission is to promote, propagate and protect native plants.
To ensure that our Native plants/trees/shrubs do not disappear we would like to encourage you to call us if:1. You are building a new home and want us to help identify and preserve Native Species from your site.
2. You are doing construction of any sort and see that Native Species are going to be destroyed because of the construction.
3. You have Native Species on your property and you are willing to let us collect either the seed or some of the root for propagation purposes.
Why did the Northern Plant and Seed Cooperative form?
A group of dedicated people met to discuss how we can collect, grow, establish new colonies, and sell local native plants. After much discussion, we decided to form a cooperative. The Coop has a mission to collect local wild seed stock and establish grounds for future distribution. We also plan to market our products collectively.
Why does the Cooperative only want to raise native plants?
When work is done to our roads and campgrounds, government offices seek out sources of local seed stock to replant in those areas. When the Chippewa/ East Mackinac Conservation District has their annual tree sale, they seek out local seed stock first. When landowners want to plant to attract wildlife and birds, they seek out local seed stock first. We decided to collectively work together to establish areas to collect from and jointly work on marketing this highly unique product.
I want to join the cooperative, but would rather volunteer my time organizing instead of working in the field. Are there jobs for me as well?
There are jobs for everyone. We are all new at this and learning as we go along.
I love to Garden and I love the idea of working together but I know nothing about local wild plants?
One of the Cooperative's main focuses is education. We need to educate ourselves on the nature of wild plants, when to collect the seeds, and the best way to propagate them. We also need to educate the public about what we are doing and why our product is best for our land, climate, and the sustainability of the region.
Helping preserve the gene pools of our local area is important for our own health, which in turn improves the health of our planet and all the other beings on it. All plants on this Earth have a purpose and all fit into the overall oneness of all. Let's help preserve these plants and trees for future generations.What is plant rescue?
Plant rescue is a term used to describe the removal of native plants from a property that is about to undergo development.
What happens to the plant material after it leaves my property?
With the vast amount of development occurring in Michigan, there is a shortage of Michigan's native plants. Your plants may be used for ecosystem restoration or enhancement. They may also be used for propagation so that additional quantities of those plant species may be made available to environmental organizations and the general public.
As landowner, what do I need to do to participate?
There are only a couple of steps
1. Contact our group. We will contact the appropriate agencies and obtain permits.
2. Give us written permission to collect on your land. This insures that your rights are protected and that no hasty removal of vegetation occurs without your permission.
3. Set date and time for the rescue.Why Should I Choose Native Plants?
- Suitability
- Water - Efficient
- Soil Improvement
- Saves Time
- Low Maintenance
- Saves Money
- Health
- They give a Natural Look to Your Home or Business
- Hardy and Durable
- Heritage
- Preserve Regional Gene Pools Preserve Bio-Diversity
- Provide Habitat
- Beauty
1. To encourage the use of native species of wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees.
2. To provide education on native and exotic plants.
3. To supply affordable native species both as seeds and plants.
4. To increase the variety of available native species.
5. To provide educational and marketing opportunities.
6. To develop an exchange system to supply a final product.
7. To support community and agency projects.
8. To allow for and assist in individual business growth and opportunities.
9. To establish quality standards for members.
10. To rescue plants threatened due to construction and development.
11. To provide a "pool" for collection and distribution of product.$15.00 General Membership (per year)
$100.00 Producer Membership (one time only)Check payable to:
Northern Wild Plant/Seed Coop
PO Box 304, Pickford, MI 49774
(Please be sure to include a phone number and /or email address with your membership check.)
For more information or to answer your questions please contact us at cemcd@lighthouse.net