Developing and supporting a sustainable native plant sector in Alaska
The Native Plants Program began in 2023 with the goal of developing a sustainable native plant sector in Alaska that can meet the revegetation needs of land managers, contractors, and other natural resource professionals. Our work includes plant salvage, seed collection, and small-scale propagation, as well as developing infrastructure and resources to serve individuals interested in growing plant materials at commercial scale.
As a member Alaska Native Plant Collaborative (AKNPC), the Homer Native Plants Program is developing infrastructure to support this nascent industry.
The Native Plants Program also coordinates grant-funded projects related to plant salvage, seed harvest, and willow cuttings, as well as providing support to individuals who may want to start producing native plant materials. For example, we are participants in the Bureau of Land Management’s Seeds of Success program. Seeds of Success crews collect native seed from across the state, thereby ensuring that genetically appropriate materials will be available for nearby restoration projects. We have also provided native plant materials to partners such as the City of Homer and Chugach National Forest for revegetation and restoration projects on their lands.
Are you a land management professional interested in native plant materials? This white paper summarizes a winter’s worth of research, literature reviews, interviews, and surveys. It is intended to provide insight into supply, demand, and available expertise in this area.
Native Plants Team
Casey Greenstein
Native Plants Program Coordinator
casey@homerswcd.org
Casey joined Homer Soil & Water in 2021 to bring her expertise to the Invasives Program and is now applying her background in botany and ecology to the Native Plants Program. On the side, she has a business doing work in contaminated site remediation and invasive plant management.
Megan Stoll
Natural Resources Specialist
megan@homerswcd.org
Megan Stoll recently has transitioned to the HSWCD Native Plants program after 20+ years of self-employment in arboriculture and tree service. With a background in nursery work, landscaping, and tree care, she is enthusiastic to apply her experience to promoting the use of native plants. Megan will also be utilizing her experience with grazing animals and selling hay to run the state’s first Grazing Lands conference in the winter of 2025 thanks to a grant through NRCS and their Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.
Bonnie Bernard
Natural Resources Specialist
bonnie@homerswcd.org
Bonnie first began experimenting with native plant propagation in a Louisiana greenhouse 13 years ago, and she’s been hooked ever since. When not thinking about plants, Bonnie enjoys reading with her cat, making art, and skiing/hiking far off into the wilderness.
