Wildtype Native Plant Nursery works to help restore health of Michigan habitats

ALAIEDON TWP. — In 1996, Bill Schneider opened his Wildtype Native Plant Nursery with a focus on native Michigan plants grown from seeds and sown by hand.

It's a passion that he's been cultivating and nurturing since he was a kindergartner.

“Ever since I was given that lima bean we all wrapped inside a wet paper towel and I watched it germinate into a plant, I’ve been captivated," he said. “It’s been a lifelong obsession ever since.”

Wildtype specializes in invasive species management, native plant installations and botanical surveys. It has worked with Michigan's Department of Natural Resources, local municipalities and drain and park commissioners. Most of its supply is sold to wholesalers and retailers. The nursery rarely is open to the public.

Schneider attributes Wildtype's success to persistence and learning from past mistakes.

"I’ve never been super strong or super smart.  I’ve had to compensate by working harder and being persistent," he said. “But there’s no magic to this, and I’m certainly not a genius.

“I really care about the environment, and it’s really gratifying to realize I’m doing what I’m passionate about, and knowing that our work here helps preserve and restore the ecosystem and nature."

Schneider had an opportunity to connect personal history with a project in Detroit.

“My grandparents were first-generation Polish immigrants who first lived in Detroit," he said. "They told me how those without air conditioning would camp out under the canopy of the old oak forest at Belle Isle in Detroit when the summer heat was unbearable.

“A few years ago, I was part of the flatwoods restoration project at Belle Isle State Park. We planted over 1,000 oak seedlings there. To know these trees were grown from the seeds I personally collected from the same oaks my grandparents once camped under is really special to me.”

Wildtype will be open to the public by appointment on Thursday and Friday. Appointments are not required for Saturday, when the nursery will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, visit www.wildtypeplants.com.

Contact photographer Matthew Dae Smith at mdsmith@lsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Native plants nursery works to help restore health of Michigan habitat