Nature Conservancy Scientists Help Meijer Shoppers Pick Better Plants This Spring
Meijer Removes Two Known Invasives, Unveils New Plant Tag for Garden Centers
DUBLIN, OH — April 11, 2007 — Shoppers wanting to spread beauty will be armed with better information at Meijer stores this year now that scientists from The Nature Conservancy worked with a retail industry leader to recommend non-invasive plants that are best suited for backyards in the Midwest.
Shoppers will find 16 percent of Meijer’s plants, trees and shrubs with a special icon created by a Nature Conservancy volunteer indicating scientists determined them as “Recommended Non-Invasive.” In addition, Meijer will also remove two species known to be invasive from their inventory, Norway maple and Lombardy poplar, both of which are known to be invasive in parts of the Midwest.
An invasive plant is one that has negative effects on our economy, environment, or human health. Experts  estimate that all invasive species (aquatic, plants and insects) cost Americans approximately $137 billion annually in loss of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and infrastructure maintenance.
“Everyone knows how invasives like zebra mussels and the emerald ash borer have had devastating consequences on our environment,” said Rich Shank, state director for The Nature Conservancy in Ohio. “But some of the worst invasives are plants like purple loosestrife and Asian bush honeysuckle that were originally introduced as garden plants and now have taken over the landscape. I’m deeply impressed by the leadership Meijer has shown by taking a stand and helping to fight the spread of invasives.”
All Meijer Back Yard employees will be trained on the new plant tags and invasive species to better understand and explain to shoppers about the dangers of invasive plants and the benefits of using recommended non-invasives. Meijer will also educate consumers through a plethora of educational materials both in and out of stores, such as brochures, website and email information, audio and other media, including a video using Machinima technology that will be played in stores and on the Internet.
Species that will receive the special icon on plant tags include:
• Purple coneflower (flower)
• White pine (tree)
• Big bluestem (grass)
• Flowering dogwood (tree)
In addition, Meijer will donate $450,000 over the next three years for stewardship work to reduce invasive plants and help save Lake Michigan shoreline, part of the world’s largest freshwater dune system.
“We chose to work with The Nature Conservancy, a world-class organization, to help protect our environment,” said Hank Meijer, Co Chairman and grandson of Meijer’s founder, Hendrik Meijer. “By combining the power of their scientific expertise with our reach to consumers, we have a chance to make a real difference literally on the ground.”
According to Nature Conservancy scientists, almost all invasive plants are non-native, but not all non-native plants become invasive. Hundreds of non-native plants have become established in the Midwest yet relatively few become invasive.
“Whether you’re a gardener, hunter, outdoor enthusiast or just someone who cares about the world we live in, you’ve been affected by the spread of invasive species,” said Shank. “People want to do the right thing, but they don’t often know how. We hope this tag and the incredible informational effort Meijer is developing will help people better understand how they can make a difference in their own backyard.”
Meijer is committed to our communities and accepts the responsibility to make a positive contribution to those communities they serve. Meijer is proud to partner with The Nature Conservancy on this important project to make an impact on invasive species to protect our natural landscape. Visit Meijer online at http://www.meijer.com.
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.
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