Preserving Appalachia's Biodiversity

Appalachia, rich with biodiversity, is suffering from the effects of unprecedented habitat loss, pollutants, invasive species, and climate change. Appalachian Headwaters’ goal is to develop environmental education programs that can not only help restore our biodiversity, but also serve as models of environmental education programs for other regions.

Headwaters Native Plant Nursery program grows, plants, and teaches about plants native to Appalachia. The plants we grow (seeds and cuttings collected from private and public lands) are used on our education sites, restoration projects, and in pollinator plant gardens around the community.

At Wood Thrush Park Headwaters has created several large native plant gardens meant to serve as educational tools, as well as critical habitat for native pollinators. Peters Garden, the largest pollinator garden at Wood Thrush Park is rich in locally sourced native wild flower species and is accessible to the public for tours by appointment. We have also made a large effort to remove invasive species from the property, to replace with native trees and to open understory habitat to improve forest health for wildlife.