What types of sales do you hold?

**The Grand Traverse Conservation District Hosts Two Types Of Sales: **

• Native Seedling Sales (held in the spring and fall): bare-root seedlings of trees and shrubs in bundles of 5 or more, and
• Native Plant Sale: pre-order Plant-By-Number flats and shop for flowers, ferns, grasses, and even a few shrubs during a one-day in-person sale.

These sales are a great way to introduce habitat to any landscape. Proceeds from these fundraising events aid GTCD’s various functions — we are grateful for your support.

What are the benefits of planting native species?

• Support Native Insects: Native plants support an amazing diversity of butterflies, moths, and other insects. Non-native plants simply cannot perform this critical habitat role.
• Feed the Birds: By supporting a diversity of insects, native plants also provide food for birds and other insect predators. Most songbirds require insect food for their nestlings to reach adulthood.
• Bring the Bees: Incorporating more native plants into your home landscape helps attract pollinators that increase crop yields, as well as insect predators that reduce costs for pest management.
• Learning Lab: Native plants help turn your backyard into a learning laboratory; do your part to inspire the next generation of scientists and nature stewards.
• Natural History: Native plants are our natural heritage. They are part of what makes our region a unique and inspiring place.
• Low-Maintenance: Native plants are a good choice for the “hands-off” gardener — all gardens need upkeep, but when properly placed, native plants require little additional effort to thrive once established.
• Beauty All Around: Native plants, and the birds and butterflies they attract, are beautiful.
• Safe From “Sorry!“: By definition, native plants pose no risk of becoming invasive.

What if you do not have the plants I am looking for?

Check out the Go Beyond Beauty program — many of these local business participants sell 20 or more native species.

You can also check out Michigan native trees, shrubs, flowers, ferns, and grasses in action any day of the year by visiting the gardens at the Boardman River Nature Center, which serves as a showcase for native plants.

Sale Policies & Procedures

Seedling Sale

Procedures

• Seedlings, plants, and supplies are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Please order early for the best selection.
• Orders MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON during our pickup dates.
• District staff will make reasonable efforts to arrange alternate pickup times. If not picked up within 7 days, however, the order will be considered canceled and the customer will forfeit payment.
• Most orders can be transported in a standard sized vehicle. If purchasing tree tubes, please keep in mind that they are 5' (five feet) long.
• Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD) cannot guarantee seedling or plant survival. Our liability ends when stock is picked up.
• GTCD reserves the right to cancel orders and refund payments due to reasons beyond our control (such as supplier availability).
• Substitutions of species may be made to complete your order.

Refund Policy

• Order cancellation requests received in writing 30 days before the first day of pickup will receive a full refund minus a 5% processing fee.
• Due to the cost of processing, refund requests less than $10.00 will not be issued and will be used to help fund GTCD’s tree planting efforts.
• There are no refunds for order cancellation requests within 30 days of the first day of pickup.
• There will be a $25.00 fee on all returned checks.

Native Plant Sale

Procedures

• Plants and supplies are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Flat pre-orders MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON during our pickup dates.
• District staff will make reasonable efforts to arrange alternate pickup times. If not picked up within 7 days, however, the order will be considered canceled and the customer will forfeit payment.
• Sale will be held OUTDOORS at the Boardman River Nature Center – dress for the weather.
• A limited number of shoppers will be allowed in the "plant tent" at a time. To facilitate faster, easier shopping, plant experts and plant signs (with photos and information) will be available. You can also explore our native gardens and signage to consider plants as you wait your turn.
• We encourage shoppers to bring a reusable bag, box, or wagon to transport their purchases.
• Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD) cannot guarantee seedling or plant survival once they leave our care.
• GTCD reserves the right to cancel orders and refund payments due to reasons beyond our control (such as supplier availability).

Refund Policy

• Due to the cost of processing, refund requests less than $10.00 will not be issued and will be used to support the Boardman River Nature Center’s Native Gardens.
• Cancellation requests received in writing 30 days before the sale date will receive a full refund minus a 5% processing fee.
• There are no refunds for cancellations within 30 days of the sale date.
• There will be a $25.00 fee on all returned checks.