Native Plant Materials Program

The Borderlands Nursery and Seed Lab offer restoration-quality plant materials to all types of users; from large federal government contracts to gardeners.

The BRN Native Plant Material Program works to promote and protect biodiversity and ecosystems in the Sky Islands by providing access to restoration-quality native plant materials.

Our local native plants have distinct adaptations to regional conditions, held deep in the genomes and expressed as specific advantages such as high nectar quantities for local pollinators during critical migratory periods, or particular tolerances to seasonal temperatures. We promote habitat resiliency by working with the plant material that is sourced within our ecoregion, maximizing the benefits of these adaptations.

This program was founded in 2012 when a group of restoration practitioners identified and responded to the need for locally produced native plants to support habitat restoration activities.

The program now encompasses the production of over 100,000 plants a year and a regional seed center with over 2,000 collections of seed from wildlands. It is the product of many hours spent with wild habitats, fingers in the soil, and with passionate staff and volunteers.

Together these efforts create a suite of products and services that are a distinct expression of the exceptional biodiversity of the borderlands region. Read more about the current projects we are working on!