Nature Conservancy Scientists Help Meijer Shoppers Pick Better Plants This Spring

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 16 /PRNewswire/ — Shoppers wanting to spread beauty will be armed with better information at Meijer stores this year now that scientists from The Nature Conservancy worked with a retail industry leader to recommend non-invasive plants that are best suited for backyards in the Midwest.

Shoppers will find 16 percent of Meijer’s plants, trees and shrubs with a special icon created by a Nature Conservancy volunteer indicating scientists determined them as “Recommended Non-Invasive.” In addition, Meijer will also remove two species known to be invasive from their inventory, Norway maple and Lombardy poplar, both of which are known to be invasive in parts of the Midwest.

An invasive plant is one that has negative effects on our economy, environment, or human health. Experts estimate that all invasive species (aquatic, plants and insects) cost Americans approximately $137 billion annually in loss of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and infrastructure maintenance.

“Whether you’re a gardener, hunter, or just someone who cares about the world we live in, you’ve been affected by the spread of invasive species,” said Helen Taylor, state director for The Nature Conservancy in Michigan. “People want to do the right thing, but they don’t often know how. We hope this tag and the incredible informational effort Meijer is developing will help people better understand how they can make a difference in their own backyard.”

All Meijer Back Yard employees will be trained on the new plant tags and invasive species to better understand and explain to shoppers about the dangers of invasive plants and the benefits of using recommended non- invasives. Meijer will also educate consumers through a plethora of educational materials both in and out of stores, such as brochures, website and email information, audio and other media, including a video using Machinima technology that will be played in stores and on the Internet [see http://nature.org/michigan].

   Species that will receive the special icon on plant tags include:     — Purple coneflower (flower)     — White pine (tree)     — Big blue stem (grass)     — Flowering dogwood (tree)   

In addition, Meijer will donate $450,000 over the next three years for stewardship work to reduce invasive plants and help save Lake Michigan shoreline, part of the world’s largest freshwater dune system.

“We chose to work with The Nature Conservancy, a world-class organization, to help protect our environment,” said Hank Meijer, Co Chairman and grandson of Meijer’s founder, Hendrik Meijer. “By combining the power of their scientific expertise with our reach to consumers, we have a chance to make a real difference literally on the ground.”

According to Nature Conservancy scientists, almost all invasive plants are non-native, but not all non-native plants become invasive. Hundreds of non- native plants have become established in the Midwest yet relatively few become invasive.

“Everyone knows how invasives like zebra mussels and the emerald ash borer have had devastating consequences on our environment,” Taylor said. “But some of the worst invasives are plants like purple loosestrife and buckthorn that were originally introduced as garden plants and now have taken over the landscape. I’m deeply impressed by the leadership Meijer has shown by taking a stand and helping to fight the spread of invasives.”

Meijer is committed to our communities and accepts the responsibility to make a positive contribution to those communities they serve. Meijer is proud to partner with The Nature Conservancy on this important project to make an impact on invasive species to protect our natural landscape. Visit Meijer online at http://www.meijer.com/.

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Conservancy and its 1 million members worldwide have protected more than 117 million acres on Earth. The Nature Conservancy embraces a non-confrontational, market-based approach for accomplishing its science-driven mission. For more information, visit http://nature.org/michigan.

Meijer

CONTACT: Stacie Behler of Meijer, +1-616-791-5851,stacie.behler@meijer.com; or Melissa Soule of The Nature Conservancy,+1-517-316-2268, msoule@tnc.org

Web site: http://www.meijer.com/http://nature.org/michigan