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  • Home
  • PRESERVE
    • Ecology
    • Invasive Species
    • Ponds
    • Clean Ups
    • Trails
  • ENJOY
    • halloween-22
    • Photos
    • Birding >
      • greenHeron
    • Trail Maps
    • Calendar
  • B W Kids
    • Nature Detectives - the latest news
  • History
  • Who We Are
    • Chuan-Chu Chou Blog
    • Perspectives on the Park
    • MemberInfo
    • presidentReport-1Q-21
  • Shop
  • JOIN
  • biancaTemp
  • loisTemp

​Great Swamp Native Plant Sale is Coming April 3!

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It is common knowledge that home gardeners should use native plants to support our threatened insects and birds. Research shows that birds cannot find enough food to sustain their population when fewer than 70 percent of the local plants are native species.
Multiple small native plantings in our yards and landscape accumulate to provide a huge benefit for birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife. But finding appropriate native plants can be a big challenge.
That's why The Westfield Green Team & Friends of Brightwood Park along with 14 other neighboring towns are partnering with the GSWA for the 3rd Annual Pollinator Plant Sale.

​How the Sale Works

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The online sale will kick off at 1:30pm, Monday April 3 and run through close of business on Friday, April 28.  The good news is that Westfield area residents can pick up their plants locally at Brightwood Park on Saturday May 6.
The GSWA will offer more than 25,000 deep-rooted landscape plugs of thirty-five locally native wildflower species.
These plants have been carefully selected for their ability to thrive with minimal care, attract pollinators, and to grow well in a variety of conditions around the yard from dry shade to the strip between sidewalk and road commonly known as "the hell strip." Most are resistant to deer, but no species is deer proof.

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Six Kits and Some Standalone Species

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There are six kits—comprised of plants that work well together, bloom across the season and provide pollinators both food and nectar through the seasons. There will also be some favorite species sold as standalones.


Check out the Native Plant Sale Catalog for more information.

​GSWA Pollinator Webinars

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The GSWA will help both novice and expert gardeners build their knowledge and prepare for the plant sale by hosting a series of monthly webinars. Led by nationally acclaimed subject matter experts, These one-hour webinars focus on native plants and the essential role a variety of pollinators play in the ecosystem.
You must register to attend a webinar.  The webinars are held monthly and can be attended via Zoom.  If you miss a webinar, you can access a recording.  Use this link to register:
Register to attend and access recordings.
The webinars include:
  • Webinar #1
    Native Plants for Native Wildlife: Key Steps Toward Cultivating Biodiversity Conservation in our Gardens
  • Webinar #2
    Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect
  • Webinar #3
    What’s the Buzz About Native Bees?
  • Webinar #4
    Native Plant Sale Product Overview​
For more information, visit the Great Swamp Watershed Association website.

Location

Brightwood Park is on the North end of Prospect Street.  Go past Franklin School and look for the entrance on the left.

What Our Members Are Saying

"I love the work you are doing at Brightwood.  Your efforts have shone a light on the essential elements of the park that we all cherish: its natural beauty and tranquility."

"I have a deep fondness for Brightwood park and would like to see it restored, remain natural and continue to be a site of passive recreation."

"I loved growing up in Brightwood Park !"


"I found Brightwood a few years ago and it's a great place to find wildlife, fish, and enjoy nature. Nice and quiet; good place to un wind and relax. Love it!!!"

​"As a resident for almost thirty years in the Brightwood area of Westfield, I am thrilled to see what is happening to improve and preserve Brightwood park for today and future generations. "


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