GERMINATION- The History of Project Native
Project Native began in the fall of 2000, when Raina Weber recognized the need for a native plant nursery in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. In an effort to protect and promote the region’s natural resources, Raina began working with The Railroad Street Youth Project and several young people to build a greenhouse on a half-acre of land. It was on this half acre that Project Native began growing 25 varieties of native perennials.

Seven years later, thanks to generous financial support from individuals, The Berkshire Natural Resources Council, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, Project Native now owns the former Maple Shade Farm (also known as "Sunways Farm") on Route 41 in Housatonic, Massachusetts. Today there are more than 150 varieties of native plants growing in the nursery, including wildflowers, ferns, wetland species, blooming shrubs, grasses and small trees. A small, dedicated staff custom mixes soils and manages the plants organically.

From the onset, Project Native has been a grassroots community initiative that has been nurtured and guided by environmental professionals and foundations. Young people have been empowered to take the lead in being responsible stewards of local natural habitats. Project Native has become a region-wide environmental effort, incorporating energy and interest from all quarters, and providing indigenous plants to landscapers and landowners who are interested not only in beautifying their own backyards but also in helping to restore the wild habitat of the region. This interest helps protect the region's water resources, wetland habitats, and watershed areas by making native plants more available for use in and along wetlands, as well as for river bank and lakefront restoration projects.

What do we mean by "Growing Nature’s Garden"?
We are always striving to maintain a harmonious balance with the earth and all its creatures. With this in mind, our greenhouse staff puts a lot of effort into educating themselves and practicing organic growing. We believe in a collaboration between people and wildlife. This year we successfully managed some of our most difficult garden pests with simple products such as aspirin, cedar oil, baking soda and dish soap. Just a few inexpensive and earth-friendly ways to cope with garden pests without the use of harmful chemicals.

WHY NATIVES?
Native plants are species that grew in this region prior to European settlement. Invasive plants are species that were introduced to the region either intentionally or accidentally. A single invasive specie can crowd out a community of native plants, destroying natural habitat and diversity.

The Nature Conservancy has identified the Berkshire-Taconic Landscape as “One of the Last Great Places” in the United States. The region is one of the largest, healthiest, and most diverse remaining blocks of forest in southern New England. The landscape is home to more than 150 rare or endangered species, one of the highest concentrations in New England. Berkshire County also sustains some of the most significant wetlands in Massachusetts.

Unfortunately, these wetlands and forests are under constant threat of invasion from non-native species. Controlling these plants is crucial, but that is only a first step. Restoring and replanting with natives can significantly reduce the threat of future invasions, as well as provide a beautiful landscape.

Project Native has played an increasingly important role in protecting and restoring these critical and threatened ecological resources.

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY
URBAN COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM
An important part of the mission of Project Native is education. One way we fulfill that goal is through our Urban Community Garden Program. For the past four years we have worked to create edible organic community gardens at group homes in Pittsfield. These gardens build upon our mission to reconnect residents to the land by fostering a greater sense of stewardship and providing education about sustainable agricultural practices. At Redfield House, a home for teenage mothers and their children, mothers and their kids work side by side in the garden. With the help of Project Native staff they learn to plant and maintain an organic vegetable garden. Through gardening the participants learn skills that can contribute to improved dietary health and employment opportunities in renewable agriculture.

LOOKING FOR A FUNDRAISER FOR YOUR SCHOOL OR NON-PROFIT
Project Native is happy to offer schools and non-profit organizations the opportunity to sell native plants as a fundraiser. Call or email for more inforamtion on this new program.

MEMBERS
Become a Member of Project Native and Reap the Rewards.
Members receive 10% off all plant purchases everyday!
Your membership will help Project Native:
• create an awareness of the value of natural habitat
• provide access to native plants
• restore critical and threatened ecological resources
Annual memberships start at $50. For more information on how to become a member call 413-274-3433 or inquire in person at our garden shop.

VOLUNTEERS
We are always happy to welcome interested volunteers. Volunteering is an opportunity to have a unique farm experience while learning about organic growing and native plants. Each year we have a spring and a fall volunteer day. We currently do not have these dates scheduled; however, if you would like to be informed of future volunteer opportunities please contact us.

INTERNSHIPS
Interested in becoming an intern at Project Native. Contact us for more information.

SEED BANK & NATIVE LAWNS
With support from Massachusetts Environmental Trust, Project Native has spent the last several years cultivating a Berkshire native seed bank. The plants growing in the seed bank were started from locally harvested seed. This means the plants that our seed come from are genetically native. The plants in the seed bank will provide the seed necessary for future wetland restoration projects in the tri-state area. Individual varieties and seed mixes will also be available in our garden shop.

Great care is taken in growing and preparing these seed for sale. Seed is harvested in the fall, dried, cleaned by hand and then mixed to create wonderful native seed mixes. This rather painstaking process has been a labor of love and out of it has come three elegantly packaged native seed mixes:

~ Berkshire Butterfly & Hummingbord Mix
~ Berkshire Native Wildflower Mix
~ Woodland's Edge Mix

NATIVE LAWN SEED MIX
We are pleased to be offering a Native Lawn Seed Mix for those individuals interested in creating a non-suburban lawn. The mix contains Creeping Red Fescue and Little Bluestem.

Non-suburban Lawns:
-only needs to be mowed twice a year, saving time & resources.
-attracts diverse species of butterflies and birds.
-tolerates drier conditions and requires less watering.
-requires no fertilizer or herbicides.
-thrives in full to part sun.

For more information on seed mixes call 413-274-3433.

WETLAND RESTORATIONS
Berkshire County sustains some of the most significant wetlands in Massachusetts. Due to the increase in human development wetlands are being disrupted and destroyed at an alarming rate. Project Native is working to minimize the impact of development on wetlands by providing plants and educational materials to assist indivduals and conservation organizations with wetland restorations projects. Several years ago Project Native planted the first large-scale native seed bank in western Massachusetts. This seed bank now provides over 50 different species of native seed many of which can be used in restoration projects.

Project Native's Restoration Team has installed several gardens, including a woodland restoration at Porches Inn in North Adams and several wetland restorations at area homes.

NATIVE LANDSCAPING

Project Native has hired new landscape designers & expanded our land care services to include:
~Stone patios, walkways and walls using native Alford marble

~Forest-scaping to create a healthy woodland habitat

~Native wildflower fields

~Backyard bird & butterfly gardens

~Invasive flora removal & wetland restoration

~Edible landscape design

~Water catchments & rain gardens

For more information on native landscape design, consultations & installations call 413-274-3433.