The Problem
The problem we are addressing is the proliferation of invasive plant species threatening local crops and native ecosystems in Maryland, intensified by urbanization and educational disparities. In a region deeply rooted in agricultural heritage, where farming contributes $8.25 billion annually and employs over 350,000 people, invasive species pose significant threats that are compounded by rapid population growth and new developments that favor invasive species in landscaping over native plants, causing native pollinators to lose their resources.
Our Plan
Our solution includes addressing invasive species through three key components: inspiring young people through education and events that engage them in planting native seeds and gardens; increasing accessbility of native species through giveaways that have distributed 70,000+ native seedlings and 650 native trees and shrubs to community members, particularly in underprivileged and minority communities; and promoting native purchases through our self-designed Nurture Natives Guides that explain the impacts of native versus invasive species and provide plant profiles featuring native alternatives to popular invasive horticulture species, with 200 copies distributed to nurseries across seven East Coast states. To date, Nurture Natives has educated over 10,300 youth, and we are working on scaling these initiatives to reach even more communities.
