Camden Native Plant Celebration and Sale 2025

A Wild Ones Midcoast Maine Event

Thank you EVERYONE! for contributing to the success of our 4th Annual Camden Native Plant Celebration and Sale on Sunday, September 14th, 2025.

Native plants provide HOPE. Many factors contributed to making this annual event a success—growing awareness, getting the word out, and possibly most significantly, the hope native plants provide in the face of increasing planetary challenges. The simple act of adding genetically diverse and safely grown native plants back to the environment is a concrete action that anyone can take. Reintroducing native plants to the environment counteracts many problems we face such as species extinction, habitat destruction and climate change.

*Hildy Ellis, Camden, taking home wildlife habitat in the form of beautiful, chemical- free, genetically diverse native plants.*

We are Grateful. We are grateful to the incredible native plant nurseries who work tirelessly to bring us genetically diverse, chemical-free native plants; to our Co-sponsor, the Camden Public Library for giving us the opportunity to hold this celebration of native plants in the historic Amphitheatre; to the Native Gardens of Blue Hill for their original guidance for the first event and continuing support; to our take-charge volunteers who made things run smoothly; to our featured artist Cassie Sano who added even more beauty…

Thank you to Rachel Bok Goldman, granddaughter of the benefactor of the Amphitheatre and library parks and champion of native plants, who cheered us on from home after coming down ill; to the Board of Directors of Wild Ones Midcoast Maine who contributed countless volunteer hours and expertise to the event. To the organizations and conservation groups who understand the intrinsic relationship between native plants, healthy watersheds, and wildlife habitat; to our in-kind sponsors ZOOT Coffee, Hannaford in Camden, and French and Brawn Marketplace; to our Flower Angels who surprised us with SO many gorgeous flower arrangements from their family wedding the night before in the amphitheater….

Thank you to the amazing Children’s play area created by Adventure Yards; to Wild Ones Youth Leader Amelia Tracy, Camden Hills Regional High School (CHRHS) teacher Jude Masseur and several Camden High Students; to Reporter John Blodgett and the Midcoast Villager for covering our lead up tour and the Sale; and to the overwhelming turnout by you—an enthusiastic and curious PUBLIC—for your overwhelming support of this very successful event. Your attendance—around 500 this year!—and purchases tell us the time is NOW for native plants!

Doing a lot with a little. This grassroots event is organized and run on a shoestring budget. Organizers often use personal finances to produce this event and are not compensated for months of hard work. We are grateful to Camden Public Library for printing, electronic marketing, marketing guidance and allowing us to hold this event in one of the most beautiful venues on the midcoast at no cost to the event organizers or participants beyond nominal charitable contributions.

Plant Native Plants. If you start feeling blue about the state of the world, plant safely grown native plants and spread the word about their restorative properties. It is a great way to make a real difference! Never underestimate what can happen when ordinary citizens come together to heal our planet.

Thank you again for joining us, ordinary citizens, in making a real difference!!

Amy Thomas Wild Ones Midcoast Maine (WOMM) President, Sale Founder and Chair; Jonathan Cohen WOMM Vice President and Run-Up event host; Destry Oldham-Sibley, Volunteer Coordinator & WOMM Membership Chair; Julia Sagaser Publicity & WOMM Outreach Chair; Marcia Coakley WOMM Treasurer, Marketing, Event set-up; Chelsea Plimpton WOMM Secretary

The People Behind the Success

Nurseries

5 Star Nursery and Orchard – Molly Della Roman & Tim Skillin
Crystal Lake Farm & Nursery – Sharon Turner & Eli Berry
Honey Petal Plants – Astrid Bowlby
Marpa Farm & Nursery – Clark Heijbroek & Steph Rendall
Rebel Hill Farm – Peter & Julie Beckford
Rooted Elements – Sara Melanson & Amber Lewis
Bas Rouge Farm – Ivonne Vazquez
Radical Roots – Sam Olvera & Garrett Sorber
Figwort Farm – Courtney Ross