The Freeman Environmental Education Center (FEEC), part of Ann Arbor Public Schools, has launched a native plant nursery to promote environmental stewardship through hands-on learning. Located on a 40-acre campus, the nursery will support restoration projects and provide plants for school green spaces. Students will participate in seed collection, propagation, and planting through field trips, summer camps, and the Freeman Environmental Youth Council.

A team of Graham Scholars developed a business model to guide the nursery’s growth, conducting site visits, stakeholder interviews, and research on nursery ecology, economics, and regulations. Their final deliverable—a comprehensive 36-page business plan—outlines strategies for student engagement, financial sustainability, site management, and legal compliance. The plan emphasizes ecological principles, funding strategies, and community involvement to ensure long-term success.

By streamlining logistics, clarifying regulations, and securing resources, the business plan will help the nursery expand quickly while making native plants more accessible to AAPS schools.