Grow Massachusetts! Hire a pro from the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association
growing wild for pollinators logo featuring a monarch butterfly

Welcome to Growing Wild Massachusetts, a state-wide initiative dedicated to promoting biodiversity and supporting native pollinators across the Commonwealth.

Click a button or scroll through this page to learn more.

Go Wild for Growing Wild on May 31

Be the first to pick up your starter kit by joining us at the official Growing Wild Massachusetts 4th season launch on May 31, 2024 at 9:30 am at Weston Nurseries in Lincoln (339 South Great Road, Route 117)!

Meet Commissioner Brian Arrigo of the Department of Conservation & Recreation and Commissioner Ashley Randle of the Department of Agricultural Resources, who will be on hand to provide more details on the movement to engage Massachusetts residents in the creation of native habitat throughout the Commonwealth.

Learn more about the native seed mix and its benefits here.


2024 Starter Kit Locations

Embrace the Wild: Your Path to Getting a Growing Wild Kit

Starting on May 31, in celebration of National Garden Week, Growing Wild starter kits featuring two native pollinator-friendly plants, a Growing Wild Yard sign and a packet of native wildflower seeds, will be available at select nurseries across the state, courtesy of DCR, MDAR and MNLA.

Act fast, as these kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis and tend to disappear quickly! Plan your visit to one of our partner nurseries or growers to secure your complimentary kit.


Growing Wild Native Planting Events

Check back often for planting events throughout the Commonwealth where you can learn more about pollinators and native plants!

DCR will be hosting Growing Wild events at six Massachusetts DCR Parks where you can pick up a starter kit, talk to staff about your garden and spend your day in the great outdoors.  All events begin at 10am unless noted otherwise.

Tuesday, June 4

Lawrence Heritage State Park: 1 Jackson Street, Lawrence

Middlesex Fells Reservation: 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham

Wednesday, June 5

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve: 131 Waquoit Highway, Waquoit

Thursday, June 6

Mt. Greylock Reservation: 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough

Blackstone Heritage at Worcester Visitor Center: 3 Paul Clancy Way, Worcester

Holyoke Heritage State Park: 221 Appleton Street, Holyoke

View full list of native planting events.

Put Your Garden on the Map

Show us where your garden grows! Our locator map showcases the towns and cities where pollinator gardens and plantings are throughout the Commonwealth. Fill out the form below and put your Growing Wild Garden on the map!

— PROGRAM PARTNERS — Map Key County border Participating town/city Nursery partner location

Click on a county above for a list of participating towns/cities.


Bee the Solution: Join the Movement 

Each year, Growing Wild partners with nurseries and growers across the state to give away complimentary garden starter kits to Massachusetts residents. By distributing free starter kits, we encourage residents to join us in this vital mission by planting their pollinator gardens at home. Through collective action, we create a network of vibrant, pollinator-friendly spaces throughout the state.

Join us in our mission to enhance our landscapes for the benefit of pollinators and the environment!

Put your Growing Wild Garden on the Map! Take the first step by filling out our quick and easy form. Whether you’re an individual, a school, a business, or an organization, your participation in Growing Wild makes a real difference. Let’s grow together!

Submit your native planting event to be featured on our website!

Please fill out this form to be considered as a Growing Wild giveaway location in 2025.

Launched in 2021 by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA), Growing Wild was initiated to promote and preserve pollinators, which play an essential role in our efforts to maintain a healthy and thriving ecosystem. To learn more about the program, visit the DCR Growing Wild Massachusetts page.

Need a Hand with Your Pollinator Garden?

Hire a landscape professional to help with your native landscape and pollinator garden! There are plenty of talented landscape professionals in Massachusetts that are ready to assist you in designing and maintaining your native landscape and pollinator garden.

pollinators on milkweed plant

What are Pollinators?

bee vector illustration

Pollinators, mostly insects but also some other animals, play a critical role in ecosystems by transferring pollen from one plant to another, facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants.

While wind can pollinate some plants, the majority, including up to 75% of all flowering plants and 35% of our food plants, rely on insects for this essential function. In Massachusetts, native insects are vital for supporting our native plant communities.

However, pollinators face significant challenges. Loss of native plant habitats, the spread of invasive species, climate change and misuse of pesticides threaten their populations. Without pollinators, our native plants and animals will struggle to thrive. Growing Wild for Pollinators offers a solution to support these essential ecosystem contributors.

Explore helpful links providing expert advice on creating pollinator-friendly landscapes and selecting native plants. Dive into program details and learn about our native seed mix. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, these resources offer valuable insights to enhance your journey.

Sign Up for Buzzworthy Updates

Stay in the loop with all things Growing Wild! Fill out this form to sign up for our newsletter for the latest updates, gardening tips and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out on the buzz—join our community today.

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Stay connected with us! For the latest updates, be sure to check back frequently. Share snapshots of your planting journey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Spread the word by clicking on one of the social media links below and sharing this web page with your loved ones!

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Instagram: @massdcr

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Facebook: @massdeptagr

Twitter/X: @massdeptagr

Instagram: @massgrown

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Facebook: @mnlaoffice

Twitter/X: @mnlaoffice

Instagram: @mnlagreen

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