LOCAL

Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Alaiedon Township

Matthew Dae Smith
Lansing State Journal
"Insanity, persistence, or stupidity," Bill Schneider of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason jokes as he talks about the longevity and success of his Alaiedon Township nursery business in one of the greenhouses where he and his staff grow about 325 native Michigan plants from seed. He's been in business since 1996. "Really, it comes down to hard work and persistence," he says.
"Insanity, persistence, or stupidity," Bill Schneider of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason jokes as he talks about the longevity and success of his Alaiedon Township nursery business in one of the greenhouses where he and his staff grow about 325 native Michigan plants from seed. He's been in business since 1996. "Really, it comes down to hard work and persistence," he says.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
A bicyclist rides down North Every Road in Alaiedon Township, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, where the roadside landscape is lined with an abundance of native Michigan plants grown from seeds collected and harvested at the nearby Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason.
A bicyclist rides down North Every Road in Alaiedon Township, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, where the roadside landscape is lined with an abundance of native Michigan plants grown from seeds collected and harvested at the nearby Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
Arthur Morris of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Alaiedon Township waters plants, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Arthur Morris of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Alaiedon Township waters plants, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
A monarch butterfly caterpillar seen on a plant at Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason.
A monarch butterfly caterpillar seen on a plant at Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
"I love using my hands and working in the dirt," Wildtype Native Plant Nursery worker Sara Prussing says as she reveals her "working hands," Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Prussing learned about the job through the Texas A&M wildlife job board online. She has a master's degree in conservation biology.
"I love using my hands and working in the dirt," Wildtype Native Plant Nursery worker Sara Prussing says as she reveals her "working hands," Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Prussing learned about the job through the Texas A&M wildlife job board online. She has a master's degree in conservation biology.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
A field of native Michigan plants at Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Alaiedon Township, seen Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
A field of native Michigan plants at Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Alaiedon Township, seen Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
Bill Schneider of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason demonstrates a step of the seed cultivation process where he uses screens to separate seeds they've collected in the wild from other specimens and plant particles, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Bill Schneider of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason demonstrates a step of the seed cultivation process where he uses screens to separate seeds they've collected in the wild from other specimens and plant particles, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
Bill Schneider of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason demonstrates a step of the seed cultivation process where he uses screens to separate seeds they've collected in the wild from other specimens and plant particles, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Bill Schneider of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason demonstrates a step of the seed cultivation process where he uses screens to separate seeds they've collected in the wild from other specimens and plant particles, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
Bill Schneider of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason demonstrates a step of the seed cultivation process where he uses screens to separate seeds they've collected in the wild from other specimens and plant particles, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Bill Schneider of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason demonstrates a step of the seed cultivation process where he uses screens to separate seeds they've collected in the wild from other specimens and plant particles, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
Bill Schneider of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason demonstrates one of the steps in the seed cultivation process where he uses screens to separate the chaff collected in the wild, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023
Bill Schneider of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason demonstrates one of the steps in the seed cultivation process where he uses screens to separate the chaff collected in the wild, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
Nancy Eifert of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason works one of the greenhouses at the farm specializing in over 300 species of native Michigan plants.
Nancy Eifert of Wildtype Native Plant Nursery in Mason works one of the greenhouses at the farm specializing in over 300 species of native Michigan plants.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal
A bee pollinates a plant at Wildtype Native Plant Nursery, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
A bee pollinates a plant at Wildtype Native Plant Nursery, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal