These are some of the ways we considered sustainability as we
collected and packaged the seeds. Can you think of more?
Social Sustainability and its Benefits:
Garden like a Michigander! Our landscapes impart profound
information about who we are, and what we value. Planting these
seeds communicates your commitment to maintaining the ecological
integrity of the land around us, and contributes to enriching the
region’s distinctive history. Plus, you'll be able to find familiar features
of the local ecosystem wherever you go; you may even find yourself
more at home throughout the rest Southeastern Michigan. In a way,
you help seal your citizenship as a member of the land's community.
Also, you join a growing community of people who understand that
great things can be cultivated to fruition in even the humblest of
places: the home.
 Ecological Sustainability & its Benefits:
Promoting Habitat Restoration It is very likely that these plants
have inherited a special relationship with the microorganisms in the soil
like bacteria, fungus, and other tiny living things.  Often, using fewer
insecticides allows this community to work closely together to make a
higher quality habitat. Think of lady bugs and lacewings eating aphids
—these insects are considered friends of many a gardener for their
voracious appetites of pests. Even songbirds may find these plants of
interest for food, water, shelter, and space.
Natural History Native (Indigenous) Plants were here first, they
have a long history in the Southeastern Michigan bioregion and to us at
the SEA, we think this context makes them even more beautiful and
interesting.  They tolerate the dry period of weather that comes late
summer (especially by August)--so most of these don't need a lot of
watering.  They also are adapted to protect themselves from organisms
that may consider them as a nutritious snack. In other words, they can
hold their own without treatment from insecticides or herbicides when
planted with consideration to their environment and basic needs.
Economic Sustainability and its Benefits:
Project Funding Money was provided through a "Revolving Loan
Fund”.  Money was collected and saved by the EverGreen Team to start
the fund, and then very small (micro) loans were given out to
enterprising student and staff projects such as the SEA's Native Seeds
Project (we requested for $50 to use on screens and miscellaneous
expenses that make preparing the seeds easier for packaging).
As we sell each packet, a portion of the proceeds will go back into
repaying the money initially loaned to us, and some additional profits
we make will go back into the EverGreen Team's fund (that previously
mentioned bunch of money) and to the Student Environmental
Association's account for future educational, re-creational, and
outreach activities.  It's a nice ongoing relationship established
financially for the SEA and EverGreen Team.
Localizing Money and its Use The money kept and used locally
(like at local Michigan-based community vendors in Metro-Detroit) also
creates something called an economic multiplier effect that stays
within the community. A gets put to use within a community in more
ways as it changes hands than one that leaves the area. It's one of the
reasons that you'll find complementary local currencies such as
“Detroit Cheers” being used as legal tender. It slows the rate that
money leaves the area when products and services are bought from
absentee business owners who are based in other localities, states, or
even countries.
These are some of the ways we considered sustainability as we
collected and packaged the seeds. Can you think of more?
Social Sustainability and its Benefits:
Garden like a Michigander! Our landscapes impart profound
information about who we are, and what we value. Planting these
seeds communicates your commitment to maintaining the ecological
integrity of the land around us, and contributes to enriching the
region’s distinctive history. Plus, you'll be able to find familiar features
of the local ecosystem wherever you go; you may even find yourself
more at home throughout the rest Southeastern Michigan. In a way,
you help seal your citizenship as a member of the land's community.
Also, you join a growing community of people who understand that
great things can be cultivated to fruition in even the humblest of
places: the home.
 Ecological Sustainability & its Benefits:
Promoting Habitat Restoration It is very likely that these plants
have inherited a special relationship with the microorganisms in the soil
like bacteria, fungus, and other tiny living things.  Often, using fewer
insecticides allows this community to work closely together to make a
higher quality habitat. Think of lady bugs and lacewings eating aphids
—these insects are considered friends of many a gardener for their
voracious appetites of pests. Even songbirds may find these plants of
interest for food, water, shelter, and space.
Natural History Native (Indigenous) Plants were here first, they
have a long history in the Southeastern Michigan bioregion and to us at
the SEA, we think this context makes them even more beautiful and
interesting.  They tolerate the dry period of weather that comes late
summer (especially by August)--so most of these don't need a lot of
watering.  They also are adapted to protect themselves from organisms
that may consider them as a nutritious snack. In other words, they can
hold their own without treatment from insecticides or herbicides when
planted with consideration to their environment and basic needs.
Economic Sustainability and its Benefits:
Project Funding Money was provided through a "Revolving Loan
Fund”.  Money was saved and collected by the EverGreen Team to start
the fund, and then very small (micro) loans were given out to
enterprising student and staff projects such as the SEA's Native Seeds
Project (we requested for $50 to use on screens and miscellaneous
expenses that make preparing the seeds easier for packaging).
As we sell each packet, a portion of the proceeds will go back into
repaying the money initially loaned to us, and some additional profits
we make will go back into the EverGreen Team's fund (that previously
mentioned bunch of money) and to the Student Environmental
Association's account for future educational, re-creational, and
outreach activities.  It's a nice ongoing relationship established
financially for the SEA and EverGreen Team.
Localizing Money and its Use The money kept and used locally
(like at local Michigan-based community vendors in Metro-Detroit) also
creates something called an economic multiplier effect that stays
within the community. A gets put to use within a community in more
ways as it changes hands than one that leaves the area. It's one of the
reasons that you'll find complementary local currencies such as
“Detroit Cheers” being used as legal tender. It slows the rate that
money leaves the area when products and services are bought from
absentee business owners who are based in other localities, states, or
even countries.