Nature Conservancy Teams with Meijer Stores to Fight Invasives

Be on the lookout for plants tagged with The Nature Conservancy’s logo at Meijer stores.

Good Plants Tagged at Meijer Stores

The Nature Conservancy and Meijer stores are teaming up again to encourage shoppers to select non-invasive plants, trees and shrubs for their backyards. Up to 16 percent of Meijer’s Garden Center inventory will carry a special icon created by The Nature Conservancy indicating “Recommended Non-Invasive.” Meijer Garden Centers open April 25 with a special kick-off celebration in stores, including a chance to win a backyard makeover.

Watch a video to learn why invasives pose problems.

Reducing sales of invasives could make a big difference in slowing their spread. Invasives cause an estimated $20 billion in damage each year. “Approximately 60 percent of invasive plant species in many areas have come from intentional plantings, such as in people’s gardens or from public works projects,” says Valerie Vartanian, of the Conservancy’s Global Invasive Species Initiative.

Meijer is launching an in-store campaign at its garden centers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio to help prevent the spread of invasive plants from back yards to natural areas. Signs, videos, audio announcements and brochures will educate shoppers on the benefits of native and noninvasive plants.