Native Seeds project in brief, and a challenge to the community

I'd argue that most plants are an ultimate example of sustainability (but maybe not in this post). Instead, I think it's time that we officially start answering ongoing questions:

What is the Native Seeds Project?
Also, why might it matter to you and I?
How can planting some seeds make a difference in the world around us?

It's one of our ways to illustrate different aspects of sustainability in a tangible product: native plant seeds plus the packaging and an educational insert.



Social sustainability, examples for what tools of economic sustainability look like in action (such as spending locally, and revolving door loans), and of course environmental sustainability are all interwoven with a sense of place and maybe even a little wonder. Oh, and we fit in some research and applied learnings.

The Native Seeds Project gathers native Michigan plants from the Environmental Interpretive Center, packages, and sells them to the general public.
Educational inserts and information on the packets illustrate perspectives of sustainability in social, economic, and ecological contexts.  These are used to educate the public on how native plants improve water quality and conservation, reduce the use of pesticides, and benefit to Michigan’s infrastructure by increasing rainwater retention.  It also promotes habitat restoration. At the same time, we believe that their natural history and intrinsic beauty can inspire those who interact with the plants.

That's it in a nutshell. I'll post a link to the actual documents we use in the packaging and inserts for you to read at another time.

By the way, here's a challenge for you community builders that would make land use planners, everyday citizens, and habitat conservationists really happy:

Get your neighbors involved in planting native plant seeds with you!

Get two packets or share some of the seeds in yours with neighbors who live in plots adjacent to your own. Try to coordinate your plantings on both sides of the property line. By doing so, you're making a habitat migration corridor out of your gardens.