Reciprocity is how we can Work Together.
Jessecology is certainly proud to operate in a region rich with environmental nonprofits, colleges, churches, garden clubs, and civic organizations. These groups are obviously doing meaningful work, and we recognize the care, vision, and labor involved.
At the same time, Jessecology is a small, family-run business. We employ a rather diverse team of people. Payroll for the team is generally earned through active fieldwork. We balance education with installation, stewardship, and plant production. For that reason, we are not able to provide unpaid speaking, volunteer labor, or donations by request. We believe deeply in reciprocity. Collaboration is possible when support flows both ways.
Reciprocity- Here is how your organization can meaningfully engage with Jessecology:
1. Fund transformation; not favors.
If your organization manages land, especially large or publicly visible grounds, consider pursuing a grant or budget allocation to hire Jessecology for a native landscape installation. Many institutions currently rely on high-input, mow-and-blow maintenance. Low-input native landscapes reduce long-term costs, increase biodiversity, and visibly demonstrate leadership in ecological stewardship. You have the power to make that shift. Jessecology brings deep experience, creative vision, innovative thinking, and a robust native plant supply to support your private or public land conservation goals. With support in place, the results are powerful and lasting. (Please see the list of suggested grant opportunities at the bottom of this post.)
2. Pay for expertise.
Jesse Peters is an ecologist, landscape designer, native plant expert, and grower. Speaking engagements are presently available as paid events, with primary availability from January through early March. Requests during peak field season must reflect the real economic cost of stepping away from active projects and payroll responsibilities.
3. Support the educational commons.
The Jessecology blog exists as a free, public resource for ecology and botany education. Reading it, sharing it, and amplifying it through your organization’s platforms directly supports our mission and helps small, independent expertise remain accessible.
We encourage organizations to move away from asking what Jesse(cology) can do for them and instead ask how they can support the people and businesses they value. Strong ecosystems, ecological and economic, are built on mutual exchange.
Here are some helpful, real grant opportunities your nonprofit can pursue — with this funding you can then hire Jessecology for large eco-landscaping, native planting, public garden builds, restoration, and related projects:
DEC Environment + Community Grants.
Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program.
NYS Parks & Recreation Grants.
Grant Watch: Environmental + Conservation Grants for NYS.
Environmental Educational Grants Guide.
Open Space Conservation Grants for NYS.
Invasive Species Mitigation Grants via NYS DEC.
Improve Natural + Ecological Resources in NYS Parks Grants.
Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program and Ecosystem Based Management Program Grants.