MARQUETTE — Native plants are an integral part of helping native wildlife.

Locally, Keweenaw Wild Bird REC is fundraising to care for injured, orphaned, and ill wild birds in the Keweenaw.

Proceeds will go toward medications, food, caging and veterinary care for the birds. This is also a great opportunity to plant flowers that will provide food and shelter for birds as well as other pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

In a press release, Keweenaw Wild Bird stated: “We are fortunate to have an amazing native plant nursery to partner with to bring you high quality native plants: Designs By Nature – Upper Peninsula Native Plants, LLC. of Marquette will provide all of the plants.”

KWBREC will transport the plants to the Keweenaw and they will be available for pickup the first week of June at Dollar Bay-Tamarack school, date to be determined. Other arrangements can be made for local pickup if needed.

For those who happen to be in the Marquette area and would still like to participate, they will be able to pick your order up at Designs By Nature-UP the first week of June. Marquette pickups will need to be coordinated with the nursery.

Those with have specific plant questions, can contact Designs by Nature-UP at designsbynatureUP@up.net or 906-250-9157. Any questions about the fundraiser can be directed to Michelle Anderson at keweenawwildbirdrec@gmail.com or 906-299-2149

Pre-orders will need to include payment. Checks can be sent to Keweenaw Wild Bird REC, 21176 Boston Crosscut, Hancock, MI, 49930. They can also take electronic payments via Venmo @KWBREC or paypal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PM9M9YGL7XQNL

Include the name associated with the order in the notes section for electronic payments. The group is happy to take orders via email or by mail. Pre-orders will end May 20 so make sure to let them know if you have a mail order on the way. They will send you a confirmation email once your order is received and will let you know when the pick up date has been decided.

Keweenaw Wild Bird R.E.C. is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that relies on community support to keep its mission flying.

“Designs By Nature — Upper Peninsula Native Plants, LLC. has graciously donated a free Wild Bird Garden Kit to be raffled off. Each order of $25 or more will be entered to win a Wild Bird Garden Kit, valued at $90,” the release states. “We will pick the winner on May 20 when the pre-orders are submitted.”