What does our native plant club do?

PLANT IT WILD is an independent, non-profit with 501 (c) (3) status, native plant group based in Benzie and Manistee counties in Michigan. We offer educational events on native plants. When possible and in an effort to fight invasive plant species, native plant educational materials are offered at our meetings.

Would you like to help us and promote Michigan’s ecological environment? We’d love for you to join us!    Call Cheryl Gross at 231-651-9656 for more information.

You can also keep up with us on Facebook.

Our Mission

The mission of PLANT IT WILD is to foster greater awareness and appreciation of the fragile natural environment of our region. Through direct efforts we work to preserve, protect, and promote the natural beauty of the area and its plant communities.

Our Focus

We promote the use of native plant species by producing educational materials available at our meetings, booths, presentations, and through our website. Programs are offered from May through September featuring a wide array of speakers and topics on native plants.  

Our Conviction

There is no longer room for doubt that it is important for us to include more native plant species in our gardens and landscapes. Native plant’s natural adaptation allows them, once established, to thrive with little or no watering, little or no fertilizer, and little or no pesticides. There is also evidence that the widespread use of exotic plant species may have broken the complex and fragile food chains that support millions of migrating birds. This could be responsible, in part, for the dramatic decline in our migrating song bird population. Native plant species may not just be the low maintenance choice but the ecologically responsible choice.

A new program has been developed by The Invasive Species Network.  It encourages nurseries and landscapers to avoid selling some of the most invasive non-natives and instead to offer Michigan native plants.  Consider asking the nursery where you shop whether they have signed the “Go Beyond Beauty” pledge.  For more information go to http://habitatmatters.org/go-beyond-beauty/

None can have a healthy love for flowers unless he loves the wild ones
Forbes Watson (1880-1960)