Learning about plants at Blue Pond with Doug McGrady

What we do

OFFER botanizing walks and educational workshops and program.

WORK to increase the number of locally sourced and grown native plants, in our landscapes through our ReSeeding Rhode Island Initiative 

PROPAGATE AND CULTIVATE native plants in our 2 Seed Starters Groups and make them available at our native plant sales.

PUBLISH WildfloraRI, a newsletter for members, which includes feature articles, cultivation notes, book reviews, and self-guided walking tours.

PROVIDE  information and resource for learning about and being good stewards of our native plants on our website and via our monthly eNews and our social media.

COLLABORATE with groups and organizations that share our mission to amplify our own efforts.

FUND projects and work related to native plants and their habitats through our Annual Grants.

What you can do*

In your daily life

  • Enjoy the great outdoors, and learn about the plants you see.
  • Grow plants native to RI’s ecoregions as the centerpiece of your garden and as much as possible replace your non-native lawn with native perennial ground covers.
  • Minimize your use of fertilizers and pesticides, which pollute water and kill pollinators.
  • Use leaf mulch rather than commercial mulch which contain dyes and chemicals that kill native insects.
  • Identify and control non-native invasive plants on your property.

In your community

  • Urge your local garden centers to sell plants historically native to our ecoregion and pesticide free.
  • Advocate for your schools, environmental centers, and scout troops to teach botany and ecology.
  • Encourage local farms to use low-impact or organic methods without the use of pesticides that harm pollinators.
  • Talk with town officials about the value of using native plants in public projects and along roadsides.
  • Get involved in your town’s planning process to advocate for ecologically sensitive development.

At the state and national level

  • Advocate for funding for land protection, ecological management and restoration policies and practices.
  • Support strengthening laws that protect wetlands and other sensitive habitats from unwise development or use.
  • Advocate for laws that protect endangered species.
  • Support legislation to reduce greenhouse gases and pollutant emissions.

*Adapted from State of New England’s Native Plants, Native Plant Trust.