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In Focus: From Seed to Center

The Center for Native Plants in Whitefish is continuing its transformation from a small nursery to a center for native landscaping in the valley

By Greg Lindstrom
Andrew Beltz waters red osier dogwoods after moving them to larger pots. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

The Center for Native Plants (CNP) in Whitefish features more than 120 native flowers, shrubs and trees, and Andrew Beltz has watched most of them grow from seeds collected around the valley. “I know where I picked the seed from,” said Beltz. “It’s got a story.”

The CNP is a branch of Forestoration, Inc., the parent company run by partners Greg Gunderson, David Noftsinger and Beltz. Through Forestoration, the group offers natural resource consulting and contracting, covering everything from wildfire and riparian restoration to trail building and design. But the promotion of native plants is always near the forefront of their projects.

“As the valley begins to develop, land is cleared, plants are lost, habitat is lost,” said Beltz. “By bringing some of that into your backyard you’re kind of helping preserve that. It helps create a sense of place.”

The CNP is continuing its transformation from a small nursery to a true center for native landscaping in the valley.

“We really do want become a center, where it’s not just coming in and buying a plant and walking away,” said Beltz. “We want to educate people.”

Andrew Beltz waters red osier dogwoods after moving them to larger pots. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Andrew Beltz waters red osier dogwoods after moving them to larger pots. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon