Natural Communities Bring Nature To Life
At Natural Communities, LLC, we understand the unique challenges and aspirations of land managers and ecological restoration. That's why we offer a powerful combination of expert knowledge and tools to empower you to excel in large-scale natural area restoration projects.
Knowledge: Our deep understanding and experience in ecological restoration equips you to achieve ambitious goals and become a leader in creating thriving natural areas.
Tools: We provide a vast diversity of local and regional genotype native seed, plants, shrubs and trees.
Your Long-Term Partner: We're here for your ecological journey, from initial planning to long-term success. Our unwavering support extends well beyond year one, ensuring your project flourishes for years to come.
Our Customers: We serve wholesale customers, large private land owners, and retail homeowners as well
Wholesale Customers
We cultivate strong partnerships with a diverse range of wholesale
customers, including land trusts, municipalities, large scale land owners, rights of way owners, park districts, forest preserves, not-for-profits, colleges and corporate campuses, and contractors
Retail Customers
Plant big and save big! We offer a wide variety of seed packets, native garden kits, native plants, and bare root plants all in bulk quantities, perfect for homeowners who love to get their hands dirty to save the environment.
Retail Shop
-
Buy Native Plants
Click Here - Retail Native PlantsWe have an amazing selection of single species plug flats and dormant bare root plants available at incredibly discounted prices. For our retail customers, this is an opportunity you don't want to miss!
-
Native Garden Kits
Click Here - Native Garden KitsShop for Predesigned or Customize Your Own Native Garden Kits
-
Buy Native Seed Mixes
Click Here - Retail Native Seed MixesWe offer ecologist-designed seed mixes for various community types on larger properties. Our team prioritizes cost-effectiveness while ensuring the habitat value of these mixes.
-
Native Seed Packets
Click Here - Native Seed PacketsEmbark on an inspiring urban restoration journey with our 1,000 sq.ft. native seed mixes for yards - a perfect fusion of species that will bring both beauty and wildlife to life!
Principal Ecological Officer & Fly-Wheel Architect
Nick Fuller's 20+ year career has placed him at the forefront of large-scale ecological restoration. His experience overseeing multi-million dollar projects encompassing tens of thousands of acres annually positions him among a distinguished group of professionals tackling this ambitious scale of restoration efforts. His diverse background spans a wide range of ecological restoration projects, from rivers and wetlands to prairies and endangered species habitats.
Championing Fly-Wheel-Ecology:
Nick's passion for nature is evident in his leadership for Fly-Wheel-Ecology, a groundbreaking approach he spearheaded. He leverages his network of ecology experts, constantly refining his knowledge base by integrating the best available information. This innovative method goes beyond traditional pest management, fostering resilient ecosystems through strategic planning, native plant selection, and long-term management.
Beyond Restoration, Sustainability:
Nick's commitment extends beyond ecological restoration. He drives Natural Communities' dedication to environmental sustainability by advocating for conservation and donating a significant portion (25% in 2022 & 2023) of profits to these causes, including supporting Indigenous peoples.
Your Partner in Success:
Nick's expertise and passion make him a valuable partner. He actively shares his knowledge through consultations and presentations, empowering wholesale partners with the tools and guidance needed to implement Fly-Wheel-Ecology effectively and achieve lasting ecological success.
Bee In The Know
Join The Movement
Get 200 Butterfly Milkweed Seeds For Free !!!!!!
A $10 Value Just For Signing Up!!!!
Wholesale Friends: inventory & pricing, grant information, blog posts, management tips, events, free ecological consultations, pro tips
Retail Friends: new plant releases, discounts, blog posts, events, ecological news
Let customers speak for us
Received my milkweed quickly with many Native Plant Nut Stickers! I'm excited to see their growth but have never been upset with a purchase from Natural Communities.
We have use Natural Community twice for our neighborhood buffer strip incredible plants and great customer service
Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii is the only blazing star in my yard that I saw Monarchs on this year. This fall after receiving speedy answers to my questions I ordered 50 plugs. I was pleased to receive the plugs in perfect condition. Thank you Natural Communities!!! I can’t wait until next year to see what they attract.
Great selection of plants along with pricing. Customer service is awesome too!
So many places you can use this plant - it looks great in combinations, or in masses all by itself!
You did a great job getting me my order in time for the village's native garden tour. I gave out 32 of the plugs. One of the native plant groups has a mission of Repairing the environment one plant at a time. I did my part by giving away a plant to each visitor to my garden.
Thanks
I’ve ordered many plants from them…always been pleases
I was expecting echinacea plugs to be much smaller but these were fairly large with a nice healthy root system. A couple of them had small blooms the day after I planted them in mid-June.
the plugs were welll developed and, after a few days acclimating to southern new england, ready to plant in their forever home! thank you!!!
I'm so pleased I found Uvularia grandiflora (Bellwort) available when I couldn't find them anywhere else. They were delivered healthy and packed well. They went in the ground and began to grow right away. What a beautiful plant and beneficial to early spring bees.
I always receive top notch service at Natural Communities. The plants are healthy and pricing is great. Large selection of native plants to choose from.
Impressed with the very developed bare root plants. They were huge!
The geraniums arrived yesterday, and their roots are already starting to settle. These are great plants, received when requested and packaged well. Thank you.
I love Asarum canadense, and these are the finest young plants I have ever received. Thank you.
The Carex are beautiful, and arrived well-packaged.
Please Support Our Partners In Conservation
-
Chicago Wilderness Alliance
Become a Member -
The Conservation Foundation
CONSERVATION @ HOME Member -
The Land Conservancy of McHenry County
Become A Member -
IPM Institute of North America
Donate -
SQUAW CREEK CLEAN WATER ALLIANCE - SCCWA
Support -
Wayne Area Conservancy Foundation
Contribute -
Friends of the Fox River
Be a Friend -
Environmental Defenders of McHenry County
Become a Member -
Wild Ones
Become a Member -
Prairie State Conservation Coalition
Become a Member -
Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves
Get Involved
Natural Areas Knowhow Blog
View all-
Sweet Grass: A Fragrant Piece of North American...
Sweet grass (Hierochloe odorata) is more than just a pleasant-smelling plant. It's a perennial grass native to North America with a rich history and cultural significance, particularly among Indigenous peoples....
Sweet Grass: A Fragrant Piece of North American...
Sweet grass (Hierochloe odorata) is more than just a pleasant-smelling plant. It's a perennial grass native to North America with a rich history and cultural significance, particularly among Indigenous peoples....
-
American Beachgrass: Guardian of the Great Lakes
Ammophila breviligulata, also known as American beachgrass or marram grass, is a vital player in the ecology of the Great Lakes shorelines. This tenacious grass thrives in the harsh environment...
American Beachgrass: Guardian of the Great Lakes
Ammophila breviligulata, also known as American beachgrass or marram grass, is a vital player in the ecology of the Great Lakes shorelines. This tenacious grass thrives in the harsh environment...
-
Embrace the Power of Warrior Plants
Welcome back, fellow nature enthusiasts! If you’ve been following along and learning about Flywheel Ecology, we last discussed the importance of planning. The book Flora of the Chicago Region (Wilhelm G. and Rericha...
Embrace the Power of Warrior Plants
Welcome back, fellow nature enthusiasts! If you’ve been following along and learning about Flywheel Ecology, we last discussed the importance of planning. The book Flora of the Chicago Region (Wilhelm G. and Rericha...
-
Spring is Coming: Rejuvenate Your Land with Fro...
As winter loosens its grip and spring peeks over the horizon, landowners and ecological restoration professionals turn their minds to revitalizing the land. Frost seeding, a low-cost and minimally disruptive...
Spring is Coming: Rejuvenate Your Land with Fro...
As winter loosens its grip and spring peeks over the horizon, landowners and ecological restoration professionals turn their minds to revitalizing the land. Frost seeding, a low-cost and minimally disruptive...
