The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Department of Agricultural Resources and the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) today announced the launch of the fifth year of the Growing Wild program, encouraging the public to preserve and protect pollinator habitats by inspiring residents to plant native species and pledge their gardens in support of pollinators. To commemorate this initiative, Governor Maura Healey proclaimed May 30 as “Growing Wild Day” in Massachusetts, marking a major milestone in the state’s expanding effort to protect native species and restore pollinator habitats.
As part of this year’s program, Growing Wild is offering free pollinator starter kits at 18 nurseries and six DCR parks across the state starting on Friday, May 30, 2025. Additionally, DCR, for the first time, has partnered with Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe to offer plants to Indigenous communities for their use and enjoyment. Native plants like Milkweed and Joe Pye Weed are valued in Indigenous culture and traditions. In honor of the program’s fifth year, state and local leaders will gather at Rogers Spring Hill Garden Center in Haverhill for a public launch event celebrating the program’s continued growth and impact across the state.
May 30 “Growing Wild Day”
"Growing native plants and attracting pollinators in our gardens is a great way to show our commitment to protecting nature and wildlife,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The Growing Wild program helps us to transform lawns into safe havens for pollinators like bees and butterflies. I am proud to be a part of the Growing Wild community and to use native plants in my own backyard.”
As part of this year’s initiative, and in celebration of the start of National Pollinators Month in June, Growing Wild is offering free starter kits that include two one-gallon native perennial plants, native seed packets, and educational resources on pollinator-friendly gardening. Kits will be available starting on Friday, May 30, while supplies last at 18 participating nurseries and three Tribal community sites, participating in the program for the first time this year. Kits will also be available at the six DCR parks on the following days and times:
- Holyoke Heritage State Park - Wednesday, June 4, 12-2 p.m.
- Mt. Greylock Reservation in Lanesborough- Wednesday, June 4, 1 –3 p.m.
- Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in East Falmouth- Wednesday, June 4, 2-4 p.m.
- Middlesex Fells State Reservation in Stoneham - Thursday, June 5, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center in Worcester - Thursday, June 5, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Lawrence Heritage State Park - Monday, June 9, 1 – 3 p.m.
“The Growing Wild program enables us to partner with our state agency and nursery partners to give residents the tools to create and nurture their own pollinator and native plant gardens, helping make our landscapes more resilient,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Through this program and the free Growing Wild starter kits, we are fostering a sense of shared stewardship of our public and private green spaces, protecting biodiversity, enhancing the natural beauty of our communities. Together, we are nurturing a brighter, greener future, one garden at a time.”
“We are excited to see the Growing Wild program grow year after year,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “Residents who plant native and supporting pollinators are helping to build a more resilient food system, so this kind of public engagement initiative is important for agricultural sustainability in Massachusetts.”
Pollinators—primarily bees, butterflies, and other insects—are critical to our ecosystems. Approximately 75% of flowering plants and 35% of the crops we consume depend on them to reproduce. In Massachusetts, native pollinators are essential to sustaining biodiversity and ensuring a healthy food system. Yet, these species face mounting threats from habitat loss, invasive plants, pesticide use, and climate change. Growing Wild offers residents a powerful way to help reverse this trend—one native plant at a time.
Whether using a Growing Wild starter kit or purchasing native plants independently, Massachusetts residents can help make an environmental impact by registering their gardens on the Massachusetts Pollinator Map, a growing visual record of native plantings across the state. The statewide pollinator map not only shows this collective progress but also reinforces Massachusetts’ leadership in sustainability and climate resilience.
“As green industry professionals, we’re proud to support residents in creating beautiful, healthy, and environmentally responsible landscapes,” said MNLA Executive Director Rena Sumner. “Local nurseries across Massachusetts are here to help people identify native plants and make pollinator-friendly choices that have a real impact.”
Since its launch, Growing Wild has distributed nearly 6,000 starter kits since 2021, totaling an estimated 6.5 acres of pollinator habitat across the state. To learn more, find educational materials, native plant guides, find a nursery, pledge your garden, and for a full list of participating nurseries visit the MNLA Growing Wild website, mnla.com/growingwild.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, dams, and parkways. The agency’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the well-being of all. To learn more about DCR, our facilities, and our programs, please visit www.mass.gov/dcr. Contact us at mass.parks@mass.gov.
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