Native Plants: Pillars of Life

Native plants sustain all life on Earth, and their conservation is vital for a happy, healthy world. We piloted a partnership with Hixson High School and found homes for 2,871 native plants propagated at the school!

Native plants sustain all life on Earth, and their conservation is vital for a happy, healthy world. But too many kids grow up with screens, disconnected from the magic of plants. We know that experience with plants at an early age can be formative in creating the next generation of conservation stewards.

We’re working to help people of all ages enjoy the world around them, at work, at school, and at home. This past year, our Native Plant Nursery sold and donated thousands of beneficial grasses, forbs, trees, and shrubs to our community, including 2,334 through our free tree program supported by EPB and the City of Chattanooga. Most importantly, we centered our work on education this year.

We successfully piloted a partnership with Hixson High School, where we provide educational resources and local native plant seeds for students to grow as part of their coursework. We then purchase the seedlings for our nursery stock, raising money for the school and for Reflection Riding when we later sell the mature plants. As demand for native plant material continues to outstrip supply, we’re expanding growing partnerships like these. Join us as we reconnect future generations with nature through gardening with and learning about native plants. Thank you for your support!