Mercer County

Welcome!

Since our first meeting in January 2023, we’ve continued to grow and strengthen our Chapter. The Mercer Chapter is led by an active Steering Committee that meets monthly on Zoom to collaborate and guide program planning.

Who We Are!

The Mercer Chapter Steering Committee is focused on teaching native gardeners about the importance of maintaining genetic diversity through seed propagation. We believe it’s an important part of native plant preservation, and cater many of our events throughout the year towards teaching folks about different steps of seed propagation. This includes topics like plant identification throughout the seasons, how to collect seeds while respecting nature, seed stratification, and more!

One of our goals is to make sure every gardener feels confident they have the knowledge and tools available to to overcome most obstacles. Many of us here already know “why” planting native plants is a good choice. But we, the Steering Committee, have noticed the “how” is a common stumbling block we all run into (regardless of experience!). So we created an additional page where we are organizing all the resources as it pertains to the workshops / talks the Mercer Chapter presents over the years.

Check it out by clicking the button below!

Mercer Chapter Resources
What We Do!

Our annual meeting is held in March at the Tulpehaking Nature Center, where all members and prospective members are welcome. We also host a number of educational events throughout the year, like:

  • Nature walks — at parks within Mercer County, the Watershed Institute, and Bowmans Hill Wildflower Preserve.
  • Hands-on activities focusing on native seed collection, sowing, and saving.
  • Native plant sale and swap
    • We offer a native plant sales during the Fall on years we offer native plant sowing in the Winter/Spring.
  • We provide financial and technical support to community activities, including native plantings at libraries and schools. We welcome requests for assistance!

Do you have feedback about events? Or ideas for event / learning opportunities? We would like to know! Please fill out this short questionnaire.

Mercer member, Anita, is sitting at a table preparing seeds for sowing. In her left hand she has a folded index card, the seeds piled up in the crease. In her right hand, she has a long skewer - ready to push the seeds into the awaiting soil container on the table.
A few members are sourcing seeds from native plants within the gardens of the Tulpehaking Nature Center.
A few Mercer members are collecting seeds from what looks like Ironweed.

Upcoming Events

View Calendar
Join Us!

For more information, and to stay up to date on chapter news and events:
Join our mailing list by going to https://npsnj.org/subscribe-to-our-email-newsletter/ and selecting Mercer County

  • Learn more about native plants and how to grow them successfully.
  • Meet others who share your enthusiasm.
  • Help make Mercer County a hotbed of native plants!
  • Be a part of the Steering Committee and help with planning and administration!
An infographic showing the location of Tulpehaking Nature Center and Abbot Marshlands located at the crossroads of routes 295, 29, and 195
Tulpehaking Nature Center – Google Maps
Have Questions?

Please feel free to email us at mercer@npsnj.org. We’d love to hear from you!