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.
VISITORS WELCOME!
School groups, garden clubs, and interested individuals are always welcome to visit the farm. Bring a blanket, a bag lunch and enjoy the farm. Peak bloom time is July and August. Group tours are available with advanced notice. Call 413-274-3433 for more information.
MISSION & CORE VALUES
Our mission is to inspire the stewardship of natural resources
by cultivating native plants and restoring our local landscape.
- We are committed to growing and providing high quality native plants
and seeds using organic practices.
- We strive to conserve financial and natural resources
- Through education and outreach programs we raise awareness about indigenous
plants and their habitats and promote conscientious landscape practices.
- We respect and support our local economic and natural community.
- We promote a nurturing and creative work environment.
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.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Every Friday Morning 9:30am -12:00
Open Volunteer Time at Project Native
A group of dedicated volunteers have been having so much fun volunteering on Friday mornings that we decided to open our weekly gathering up to the public! Want to learn more native plants, meet new people who share your interests or just spend few hours helping out a local non-profit? Join us on Friday morning for an hour or make it a weekly event. All ages and abilities welcome and encouraged to attend. Stop by to find out what's all about.
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 five 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.
“I think it’s always great to get close to nature...the Garden Project at Redfield House certainly helped all the young participants to do that. Also, one of the true advantages of teaching something to young mothers is that it has a double impact (or more) since they, in turn, teach their little children ." -Susan Guerrer, staff member at Redfield.
As the garden grows so shall the gardener. - Old Proverb
MEMBERSHIP
Become a Member of Project Native and Reap the Rewards.Members receive 10% off all plant purchases everyday for one calendar year!
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
To become a member click on our donate button.
Project Native is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
DONATE
Become a Friend of Project Native.
Individuals who donate $50 or more will receive a savings card entitling them to 10% off all plant purchases for one year.
There is no way we could be where we are today without the generous support of community members and charitable foundations.
Project Native is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation.
All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
To DONATE: click on our donate button.
THANK YOU!
Thank You
Project Native is grateful to YOU and the following organizations for their generous support.
The Berkshire Natural Recources Council
The Massachusetts Environmental Trust's Liscence Plate Program
The Nature Conservancy
Thank YOU very much!
HOURS OF OPERATION
Nursery & Garden Shop open six days a week
Thursday - Tuesday 9:30 - 5:00
(closed Wednesdays)
Open seasonally April - November (weather permitting)
DIRECTIONS
LOCATION:
342 North Plain Road (Route 41)
Housatonic, MA 01236
Approximately 4 miles North of downtown Great Barrington, Massachusetts on the East side of the road. Look for the blue-green garden shop.
DIRECTIONS From the North:
Mass Pike: Take exit 2 (Lee), turn left at end of exit, and right onto Route 102 South to Stockbridge. In Stockbridge, turn left at the Red Lion Inn onto Route 7 South to Great Barrington. Go over the bridge in Great Barrington and make a right onto Rt. 41 North.
DIRECTIONS From the South:
Take Route 7 North through downtown Great Barrington. At light where Rt. 7 North turns right over the bridge, go straight onto Rt. 41 North.
TELEPHONE
(413) 274-3433
(413) 274-3464
STAFF and BOARD of DIRECTORS
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.
Ten 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 180 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.
Project Native is a grassroots community initiative that has been nurtured and guided by environmental professionals. Young people have been empowered to take the lead in becoming responsible stewards of local natural habitats. Project Native has become a region-wide environmental organization providing indigenous plants to nurseries, landscapers and homeowners who are interested not only in beautifying their own backyards, but also in restoring the wild habitat and diversity of the region.
Address
Project Native
342 North Plain Road
Housatonic, MA
01236
Connections & Links
- Berkshares
- Redfield House
- Berkshire South Regional Community Center
- Berkshire Natural Resources Council
- Massachusetts Environmental Trust
- Christodora & Manice Educational Center
- Discover Life
- Ecological Landscaping Association
- Flying Cloud Institute
- Flying Deer Nature Center
- Wild Ones
- Wild Ones
- Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
- Grow Native Cambridge
- Cut it Out
- Holiday Farm
- Hoosic River Watershed Association
- Kampoosa Stewardship Committee
- LAPA West (Lakes and Pond Association of Western Massachusetts)
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
- The Nature Conservancy
- New England Wildflower Society
- Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)
- Orion Grassroots Network
- Railroad Street Youth Project
- Sheffield Land Trust
- Simon's Rock
- Berkshire Grown
- The Don Ward Company
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Trustees of the Reservations
- UMass Extension
- Wild Birds Country Store
