The Pacific Rim Institute is selling hand-crafted Christmas decor that ushers in the holiday spirit while highlighting conservation efforts on Whidbey Island.

Now through Dec. 11, island residents can place their orders for holiday wreaths made from native plants grown on the institute grounds in Coupeville.

The wreaths contain local, indigenous plants such as Douglas fir, western red cedar, salal, snowberry, Nootka rose, Oregon grape, sword fern, yarrow, Garry oak and more. Each wreath is hand-made and unique.

Institute operations manager Mosa Neis said the native wreath project, which is now in its fifth year, is a byproduct of a recent movement to plant and preserve native plant species in the area.

“A lot of the big push to plant native plants is that they’re drought tolerant,” she said. “And pollinators, and the whole cycle, everything just works better when it’s the natural, wild, native plant that should be in the area.”

The wreaths cost $30 each. Anyone interested can place an order by calling the institute office at 360-678-5586.

Orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis, as there are limited quantities of wreaths.

The Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship is a faith-based organization that equips people and communities to live sustainably and care for the environment. The group researches and restores native habitat, educates students of all ages and provides trails in beautiful open space and education facilities to the community.

Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Mosa Neis forms a festive holiday wreath out of native plants. The Pacific Rim Institute operations manager said native plants benefit the local environment in many ways.

Photos by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times Mosa Neis, left, and Dawn Meredith work on native plant wreaths at the Pacific Rim Institute Dec. 6.