National Audubon Society and Bower & Branch Team Up to Bring Native Plants to Costco

New York, May 27​ – The National Audubon Society and Bower & Branch have released a special selection of Audubon-certified native oak trees online at Costco.com. Gardeners can order the eight to 10-foot tall trees online and have them delivered directly to their home, now through June 21. Each purchase supports Audubon’s nonprofit conservation mission.

“As many of us spent time closer to home this spring, the natural world outside our windows has provided welcome connection and interaction,” said John Rowden, senior director of Audubon’s Bird Friendly Communities and Plants for Birds initiatives, which matches gardeners up with attractive plants that grow naturally in their area. “Planting trees and other plants native to your region is one of the best ways to welcome birds to your yard or garden. Native plants not only attract more birds, but they’re adapted to local climate conditions, so they require less maintenance than more exotic varieties. In fact, it’s more of a challenge to find them available for sale than to grow them, so we’re enormously excited about Audubon’s new partnership with Bower & Branch, including this special tree collection for Costco.”

As part of the Plants for Birds program, Audubon's Native Plants Database helps home gardeners find the best plants for the birds in their area. Growing bird-friendly plants offers food sources and habitat for birds, and offers a low-fuss, no pesticide alternative to high-maintenance exotic plants. Audubon also offers an opportunity for home birders to document what they see in their gardens with its new Hummingbirds at Home community science initiative, helping track hummingbird species and their movements. Explore all of Audubon’s native plant resources here, including factsheets on creating a native plant garden and how it can save you money.

Audubon’s partnership with Bower & Branch, an e-commerce retailer and network of growers and garden centers across the United States, provides Audubon® Native Plants for Birds that are better for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. All Audubon® Native Plants & Trees grown by Bower & Branch are 100 percent free of neonicotinoid pesticides.

“Bower & Branch understands the importance of native plants and trees to nurture and protect birds and the environment,” said Jose Carbonell, Audubon’s chief marketing officer. “Working with Bower & Branch’s network of experienced growers and nurseries, along with its retailers such as Costco, will increase the availability of native plants, make it easier for people to adopt a bird-friendly lifestyle, and drive conservation impact in our communities.”

Four species of Audubon® Oak Trees are now on sale at Costco.com, including Pin Oak, Bur Oak, White Oak, and Northern Red Oak Tree, exclusively grown by Bower & Branch. All four varieties are native to the Eastern Seaboard and parts of the Midwest, and may provide food and shelter for Blue Jays, flickers, woodpeckers, and other local and migrating birds.

“As a member of the horticulture industry, we have a responsibility to people and the planet,” said Don Eaton, CEO & founder of Bower & Branch. “Silent skies are not anything we want to experience, and there’s a reason to plant natives now for future generations. I’m full of hope that we can make change with Audubon. It’s a chance for a dynamic shift.”

Additional Audubon® Plants for Birds are available online at BowerandBranch.com for shipment directly to homes or for pickup at participating garden centers. Every purchase and planting of these native plants and trees supports Audubon’s conservation mission and impact.

Media contact:
Jason Howe, National Audubon Society
415-595-9245, jason.howe@audubon.org

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About Audubon 

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

About Bower & Branch

Bower & Branch is a leading horticulture e-commerce brand for consumers who want the convenience of online and mobile shopping. The horticultural industry’s expansive network of independent growers and garden retailers benefit from this solution to sell online and in-store. The principles of the Bower & Branch network provide a mobile and e-commerce go-to-market business model that grows customer traffic, reduces inventory while increasing selection, interfaces with changing demographics and provides a strong market position for future sales. For more information, visit ​​www.bowerandbranch.com​.