Community Workshops Teach Lander Residents to Cultivate Local Native Plants

In Lander, residents interested in planting native species on their property face limited options—local nurseries carry few native varieties, and ordering from the Popo Agie Conservation District requires planning months in advance. This scarcity leaves gaps that invasive species can fill, threatening local ecosystem health. When a community member working with the Nature Conservancy’s new native plant nursery in Red Canyon recognized an opportunity to address this challenge, she reached out to LOR with an idea for seasonal community workshops. LOR’s funding will help purchase gardening tools like trowels, pruners, and plant containers, along with refreshments for four workshops throughout the year. These hands-on sessions will teach participants the complete process—from seed collection and drying to planting and harvesting—while providing them with native plants and seeds to take home. This community-driven approach not only gives Lander residents direct access to native species but also builds local knowledge about ecosystem restoration and the vital role native plants play in maintaining landscape health and resilience.