It all started with an Indiana Department of Natural Resources grant to establish a tall grass prairie and wildlife corridors to make a wildlife habitat area.

The 50-50 split grant helped pay for the original trees, shrubs and forb seeds and soil preparation for the 3-acre habitat area. The plants grew so well, and so many other wildlfowers and shrubs already were growing on the property that starting a preserve seemed an obvious decision. The idea for the nursery grew from the increasing popularity of native plants for landscaping and the need to create an income to support the habitat.

The nursery will, hopefully, be lucrative enough to be a retirement income.

Our Business

Every purchase you make at Winterhaven Wildflowers helps fund the restoration of the tall grass prairie and the propagation of  Indiana native plants. A  special effort is being made, when possible, to propagate threatened and endangered plants such as the wild violet pictured below.

How to help

Order now: Make a financial commitment today for your plants and native landscaping needs for the 2008 growing season. Put a deposit on your order of seeds, wildflowers and grasses. Place your orders now for seeds, seedlings, dig-your-own or potted native plants.

$500 sponsorship: Become a private sponsor and get all the native plants you'll need or want in 2008. Take a leap of faith and make an investment of $500 or more to Winterhaven Wildflowers & Native Plant Preserve. What’s in it for you? Your sponsorship now will help the 2008 season get off to a great start with a wider variety of native plants for you and your friends. In addition to $500 of credit toward your native plant needs, you will also get all the solidago and/or Indian grass you want.

Volunteer: Become a volunteer and help Winterhaven Wildflowers & Native Plant Preserve become a non-profit organization: become a founding member, a board member or a volunteer. Lend your expertise and experience with non-profits and/or native plants and/or Monarch butterflies to help secure grants and make Winterhaven fulfill its mission to educate (the public), and propagate and preserve Indiana native plants and promote the preservation of the Monarch butterfly habitat in North America and in Mexico.

Who We Are

The mission

To educate people about native plants and their role in the environment; to propagate and preserve Indiana native plants for their own beauty and value and their importance for various animals and insects, particularly the Monarch butterfly; to share Winterhaven Wildflowers & Native Plant preserve with various special interest groups to provide a learning laboratory for their needs, including but not limited to school groups; abused and neglected children; artists, writers, photographers and the like; church and spiritual groups and individuals and families. Winterhaven is designed to be a haven for people and other living things. Winterhaven is a Certified Monarch Waystation and a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Help us grow and grow with us.

The method

The laws of nature are among the only constants in this ever-changing world of mankind. Winterhaven is a microcosm of plant, animal and insect life that can be utilized by many people for their needs. It also is the home of Reni Winter, steward over the land and student of the secrets it reveals. It is her goal to use and utilize any and all of the best conservation practices as brought forth to her by the various government, private and educational resources she seeks out or encounters, foremost among them the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Purdue University. Her background at this point is that of a self-taught naturalist and native plant preservationist. Her personal goal is to be able to make this a fulltime endeavor.

The challenge

Winterhaven Wildflowers & Native Plant Preserve is working toward attaining 501(c)3 status as an educational and conservation organization. Until that non-profit status is achieved, grant money and donations are limited and operating and development income are dependent on workshops and sales of native plants.