Go Beyond Beauty
for wildlife, clean waters, and beautiful gardens

Go Beyond Beauty is expanding statewide - check out our new website!
For local (NW Lower Peninsula) folks, all this information is still accurate to you.

For many people, a garden’s purpose begins and ends with beauty. However, we believe it is possible to create beautiful spaces that transcend beauty alone. Did you know that many of the plants that are most invasive in local natural areas originally arrived as ornamental garden plants? You can prevent the introduction and spread of invasives by purchasing plants at local nurseries and through landscapers that have committed to not selling high-threat invasive ornamental plants. Let’s make Northwest Michigan an example of natural beauty, wildlife habitat, healthy waters, and bountiful gardens that inspires across the state of Michigan… and beyond!

The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network invites all nurseries, landscapers, businesses, organizations, and concerned home/landowners that are located in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee counties to participate in Go Beyond Beauty.

To find a current participant, visit the pages below! These garden professionals, individuals, and other groups have already made the commitment to not sell or use high-priority invasive species. 

Find A Nursery

Find A Landscaper

Community Participants

About Go Beyond Beauty and its
​Achievement Program

(Only available in Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau & Manistee counties)

The Go Beyond Beauty program exists to provide positive recognition to garden professionals and others who exemplify business and landscaping practices that benefit and protect our region’s natural areas. The program offers support to garden professionals and concerned citizen groups/individuals who have committed to not sell or use high-threat invasive plants; provides science-based information to staff, and helps businesses gain new customers through free publicity and outreach. Participants will also receive additional recognition for further steps they may choose to take, such as selling native plants, participating in Trade Up programs or organizing community workshops.

The Go Beyond Beauty Program has recently expanded to include different achievement levels.  Anyone can still participate for free. However, for additional training opportunities, site visits, and native planting recommendations register to become a Silver, Gold, or Sustaining member!  

Achievement Program Details

How it Works:

• Step One - Read the program start-up materials

Start-up Materials

• Step Two - Did everything make sense? If not,  contact Go Beyond Beauty Specialist Shelly Stusick, sstusick@gtcd.org for clarification. If so, register online at the links below!

Garden Professional Registration Form

Individual or Other Organization Registration Form

• Step Three - Check out your FREE participant goodies

Participant Materials

Other Information/News

​What are the Top 12 invasive species?
Where can I find more information on native plants and other resources?
​Do you do site visits as part of Go Beyond Beauty? 
Native Plant Lists
​Ornamental Invasive Species