School of Public Policy (SPP) Master of Public Administration (MPA) alum Michael (Mike) Baczewski’s business, New England Pollinator Gardens (NEPG) aims to help clients increase their biodiversity and heighten sustainable and ecological impacts. The 100% organic land care company does not use toxic chemicals, harmful pesticides or shortcuts! They do use native plants to the area and aim to help Mother Nature thrive in order to “…help all of us thrive.”
Mike’s passion for organic lawn care and ecology began during childhood summers. He use to explore the yards of grandparents and parents barefoot. He explains, “…each garden [thrived] with life both big and small and all of which were maintained without harmful chemicals but were aesthetically stunning nonetheless.” For Mike he believes that, “We have the power to profoundly influence the health of our planet, our communities, our families, and ourselves – and it begins right in our own backyard.”
Rooted in the principles of health, ecology, fairness and care, NEPG was a result of a desire to leverage time, expertise and passion into making a positive impact. Mike says:
- Our work sustains and enhances the health of soil, plants, animals, humans, and our planet.
- Our work builds relationships characterized by shared values and stewardship of a shared world.
- Our work fosters the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.
Mike’s utilizes his MPA skillsets in order to effectively execute as a small business owner. He notes that leadership and project management competencies are continually employed to navigate challenges, find solutions, push industry norms and adapt to change.
We asked Mike, what are some ways our network can make a difference with their gardens? He had this to say:
Restorative land care steps that you can take this year to help Mother Nature thrive and in turn, help all of us thrive:
1. Avoid using pesticides, insecticides, synthetic fertilizers and other toxic chemicals.
2. Reduce or eliminate unnecessary inputs such as daily watering or costly mulch.
3. Reduce the overall square footage of your lawn and restore it back to a flourishing natural habitat through the introduction of neonicotinoid-free native trees, shrubs, and perennials.
4. Remove invasive plant species that harm ecological vibrancy.
5. Purchase or even better, grow your own diverse selection of neonicotinoid-free native plants.
6. Inform and educate your family, friends, neighbors, and community about the importance of taking these restorative land care steps.
7. Support small businesses like local native plant nurseries to reduce the overall carbon footprint of product supply chains.
Helpful Resources:
Northeast Organic Farming Association | www.ctnofa.org
Wild Ones | www.wildones.org
Ecological Landscape Alliance | https://www.ecolandscaping.org
Homegrown National Park | www.homegrownnationalpark.com
Brittney and Mike founded New England Pollinator Gardens to help clients create healthy landscapes. New England Pollinator Gardens is a full service ecological based design and restorative land care company serving clientele throughout New England. The company is a leader in strategic and sustainable sourcing practices.
Professional certification and affiliations include: NOFA Organic Land Care Program, WildOnes, Ecological Landscape Alliance and Doug Tallamy’s Homegrown National Park.
Visit them at www.newenglandpollinatorgardens.com or find them on Instagram @newenglandpollinatorgardens