Like -Minded Organizations Work Together in Westchester County to Encourage Residents to Go Native with Help From The Native Plant Center

Many organizations throughout Westchester County are working together to encourage the use of native plants in an effort to enhance the environment and sustain area wildlife.

In early January, Westchester County hosted the annual New York State Turf and Landscape Conference. A few weeks later, an environmental summit was held in Bedford, New York. Over nine-hundred people attended. A full day of informative lectures and workshops took place addressing issues such as oil consumption, school food, and a climate action plan for Bedford.

In early February, Teatown Lake Reservation co-hosted its annual Hudson River EagleFest, nearly 4,000 people attended this event.

The Native Plant Center was represented at all three events in an effort to inform more people about the existence of The Center and the practical use of native plants in residential landscapes. The NPC is located at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York. It is a project of the Westchester Community College Foundation. The mission of The NPC is to educate the community of the environmental necessity, economic value and natural beauty of native plants in the Northeast. It was the first national affiliate of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center located in Austin, Texas.

Once a year, The Native Plant Center hosts its largest fundraiser, a Wildflower and Native Plant Sale. Last year, over 5,500 native plants made their way into over 5oo backyards throughout the tri-state area.

This year The NPC's Wildflower and Native Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, April 25. Admission to the Sale is free, and open to the public. Phone 914-606-7715 for further information about this event. The Native Plant Center hosts other educational events throughout the year. Read about these events in the 2009 NPC Newsletter. Registration is required for some events.