B.W. Wells Stewardship Fund Grant

The B.W. Wells Stewardship Fund, established in honor of renowned North Carolina plant ecologist Bertram Whittier Wells, aims to promote the conservation and enjoyment of native plants and their habitats. The fund supports various projects including the installation of native gardens and public education initiatives. Grants of up to $1000 are available for organizations involved in ecological management and educational outreach, fostering a deeper appreciation for North Carolina's unique flora.

Background
The B.W. Wells Stewardship Fund is named for Bertram Whittier Wells, an eminent North Carolina plant ecologist at North Carolina State College. Wells was a passionate advocate throughout his career for the protection of North Carolina’s native flora. In 1932 he published The Natural Gardens of North Carolina, a classic book describing the natural plant communities found in the State. Wells’ retirement home, Rock Cliff Farm, is now protected as part of Falls Lake State Recreation Area, and the B.W. Wells Association was formed to preserve his legacy and conservation ethics. A donation to NCNPS by Maude Wells, his wife, led to the establishment of the fund in his honor.
Wells Stewardship Fund provides several grants each year to projects that involve the installation of new native plant gardens, restoration and maintenance of existing natural plant communities, and public education on native plants and their benefits and conservation.
Proposals should fall within the mission of NCNPS: “to promote the enjoyment and conservation of North Carolina’s native plants and their habitats through education, protection, cultivation, and advocacy.”

Eligibility

Grants are available to organizations, including federal, state, and local agencies, and local community organizations.

Ineligibility

NCNPS does not fund: the purchase of plants or seeds not native to North Carolina