by Doug Lockard
As we prepare for our upcoming Spring Native Plant Sale, it’s a great time to share an update on our efforts to find a new home for the Upstate Native Nursery (UNN).
Over the past 20 years, UNN has provided 50,000 native plants to the community through our spring and fall native plant sales—the primary sources of funding for the many programs of both the Upstate and statewide SCNPS.
With growing awareness of the importance of native plants in protecting our environment, demand has surged. In 2018, our annual sales totaled around 2,000 plants; by 2024, that number more than doubled to over 5,000! Today, the nursery is struggling to keep up with this growing demand.
Preparing for the Future
During upcoming planting seasons following Hurricane Helene’s devastation, we expect the UNN to play a vital role in our chapter’s Grow Back Native program, which aims to increase the planting of native species.
With the new UNN, we’ll be ready to fulfill and spark an increased demand for native plants. The new nursery will have a larger footprint and greenhouse and almost double our plant production capacity!
Where We Are Now
In November, Johnston Design Group finalized plans for the new nursery, and we’ve selected a finalist for a passive solar greenhouse, potting shed, and seed-cleaning facility. We are now working to secure the necessary funding to begin construction as early as 2025.
How You Can Help
Shop & Volunteer – Support our Spring Native Plant Sale on April 12 at Conestee Stadium by purchasing plants or volunteering. The sale offers the region’s largest selection of difficult-to-find native plants!
Donate – If you’d like to make a directed donation toward the UNN project, please contact us at unn@scnps.org.
Stay tuned for updates on the UNN expansion and the Spring Upstate SCNPS Native Plant Sale!
