Spring 2008

Dear Friends,

You may have heard the word “sustainability” used in many different ways, but what does it really mean? For us at New England Wild Flower Society, “sustainability” is defined in these three goals:

     •  New England ecosystems are complete, healthy, productive, and protected;

     •  Home gardeners and landscape designers are creating landscapes that are

        ecological expansions of surrounding natural landscapes; and

     •  The Society is positioned to continue critical conservation of our region’s native plants

        for as long as it takes to ensure ecological sustainability throughout New England.

Plants are the basis of ecological communities and animal habitats in all regions around the world—in other words, life on Earth depends on plants! New England Wild Flower Society is the only organization watching over the native flora that is the biological foundation of our region’s rich, diverse, and sustainable ecosystems.

Our conservation work doesn’t stop in the field. Our ecologically sensitive gardening

practices have made Garden in the Woods the preeminent model of sustainable

horticulture in the country. Visitors from all over New England learn the best techniques to apply in their own gardens, and they find the greatest diversity of propagated plants of known provenance from our Nasami Farm Nursery and Sanctuary.

All across New England, our exceptional education programs—the largest, most comprehensive curriculum in native plant botany and horticulture in the country—teach citizens how to create and protect sustainable, biological havens in their own yards and communities.

Your support sustains the Society, enabling us to share the practical, hands-on techniques for sustainable gardening and empower “citizen scientists” to defend our region’s native flora. For over 100 years, we have confronted the urgent plant conservation priorities of New England.  Yet, we have more work to do to protect and sustain our region’s healthy and diverse ecosystems.

Until all plants are safe and secure, New England Wild Flower Society, with your generous help, will continue to protect them so all of our region’s citizens, now and in the future, can enjoy our unique natural landscapes.

Your contribution today will help us make a better, more sustainable New England for tomorrow.

With gratitude,

Gwen L. Stauffer

Executive Director

This contribution, above and beyond membership, is essential for increasing grassroots conservation of New England’s native plants and habitats. Your donation is more than appreciated; it is tax deductible.

Read Grow Native, our Spring Garden & Nursery Newsletter. To donate now, click here.