Above: State agencies and plant nurseries are encouraging the public to “Bee Part of the Movement” of “Growing Wild for Pollinators” (image cropped from promotional photo on initiative website)
In an effort to support pollinators, Massachusetts has partnered with nurseries, parks and reservations to distribute free “starter kits” for gardening with native plants. It’s part of their “Growing Wild” initiative for National Pollinators Month in June.
One of the participating nurseries is located in Southborough.
The initiative kicks off tomorrow, Friday, May 30th, which Governor Healey has named “Growing Wild Day”.
Gulbankian Farm confirmed they have 75 kits to give away on a first-come, first-served basis. (The shop is at 40 Mount Vickery Road and the hours are Mon – Sat 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.)
Each kit will include two one-gallon native perennial plants, native seed packets, and educational resources on pollinator-friendly gardening. Carolyn Gulbankian informed me that the nurseries were given a list of plants to choose from. Her shop will be giving out Foamflower, False Chamomile and Culver’s Root.
According to a press release, this is the fifth year of the Growing Wild program organized by Mass DCR (Dept of Conservation and Rec), MDAR (Mass Dept of Agriculture Resources), and MNLA (Mass Nursery & Landscape Association). The intent is to encourage “the public to preserve and protect pollinator habitats by inspiring residents to plant native species and pledge their gardens in support of pollinators.”
The release explains:
“The Growing Wild program enables us to partner with our state agency and nursery partners to give residents the tools to create and nurture their own pollinator and native plant gardens, helping make our landscapes more resilient,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Through this program and the free Growing Wild starter kits, we are fostering a sense of shared stewardship of our public and private green spaces, protecting biodiversity, enhancing the natural beauty of our communities. Together, we are nurturing a brighter, greener future, one garden at a time.”
“We are excited to see the Growing Wild program grow year after year,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “Residents who plant native and supporting pollinators are helping to build a more resilient food system, so this kind of public engagement initiative is important for agricultural sustainability in Massachusetts.”
Pollinators—primarily bees, butterflies, and other insects—are critical to our ecosystems. Approximately 75% of flowering plants and 35% of the crops we consume depend on them to reproduce. In Massachusetts, native pollinators are essential to sustaining biodiversity and ensuring a healthy food system. Yet, these species face mounting threats from habitat loss, invasive plants, pesticide use, and climate change. Growing Wild offers residents a powerful way to help reverse this trend—one native plant at a time.
Whether using a Growing Wild starter kit or purchasing native plants independently, Massachusetts residents can help make an environmental impact by registering their gardens on the Massachusetts Pollinator Map, a growing visual record of native plantings across the state. The statewide pollinator map not only shows this collective progress but also reinforces Massachusetts’ leadership in sustainability and climate resilience.
“As green industry professionals, we’re proud to support residents in creating beautiful, healthy, and environmentally responsible landscapes,” said MNLA Executive Director Rena Sumner. “Local nurseries across Massachusetts are here to help people identify native plants and make pollinator-friendly choices that have a real impact.”
To learn more or “pledge your garden”, click here.
For the nursery list with the other 17 locations, throughout the state, click here. If you miss the nursery’s limited supply of kits, there will be subsequent giveaways at six parks in early June:
- Holyoke Heritage State Park – Wednesday, June 4, 12-2 p.m.
- Mt. Greylock Reservation in Lanesborough – Wednesday, June 4, 1 –3 p.m.
- Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in East Falmouth- Wednesday, June 4, 2-4 p.m.
- Middlesex Fells State Reservation in Stoneham – Thursday, June 5, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center in Worcester – Thursday, June 5, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Lawrence Heritage State Park – Monday, June 9, 1 – 3 p.m.
