The Dirt on Native Plants: A Propagation and Education Program
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Michele Bakacs
County Agent II/ Associate Professor
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
North Brunswick
Abstract
Native plants have been gaining popularity in recent years not only because they are beautiful, but also because people want to incorporate plants in their landscapes that have ecological significance. There are many misconceptions about native plants among Extension volunteers and the landscaping community who are often unsure what to plant, how to select species, and manage these landscapes once installed. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County developed a native plant teaching nursery and education program focused on growing herbaceous perennials and using native plants in the landscape to support biodiversity and habitat. Since 2019, we have trained close to 800 Extension volunteers, landscapers, and the public on native plant ecology, designing native gardens, seed collection, propagation techniques, transplanting, monitoring, and public speaking. Educational activities included hands-on field sessions, workshops, and train-the-trainer sessions, developed fact sheets, trade show classes, and online webinars. To date we have provided guidance on close to 50 projects at local schools, parks, and preserves donating over 3700 native plants from our teaching nursery. In 2024 alone, over 50 volunteers completed 800 hours on these projects. Extension volunteers indicated our programming increased their ability to effectively provide native plant outreach (2.9 to 4.5 likert scale, out of 5, n= 41). Also rewarding is the actions taken by volunteers starting native plant efforts in their own communities, Rutgers students planting in local preserves, and propagating seeds on their own, and mentoring other Extension programs across the state to start their native plant initiatives.
Authors: Michele Bakacs, Angela Monaghan
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Michele Bakacs County Agent II/ Associate Professor, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex & Union Counties, New Jersey, 08902
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Angela Monaghan Master Gardener Coordinator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 08902