Ironwood Nursery
Ever since its founding in 1996, the Missisquoi River Basin Association has been deeply involved in riparian tree plantings having planted over 30,000 trees on the banks of the Missisquoi River and its tributaries. MRBA had the desire to start a native plant nursery to ensure the trees and shrubs planted along river banks will be properly adapted to the climate and region. Ironwood Nursery will make this dream come true for the MRBA and other individuals and organizations across northern Vermont.
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In September of 2023, MRBA received grant funding through the Lake Champlain Basin Program to start a native plant nursery.
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2024 and 2025 were spent learning, planning, planting, and locating the right piece of land for the nursery.
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In August of 2025, MRBA hired Nursery Manager Aaron Hesse
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On October 9th, 2025 MRBA became land owners when we purchased a 10-acre parcel in the town of Jay Vermont.
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On December 19th, 2025 the town of Jay purchased the adjacent 157- acre property to Ironwood where additional Nursery activities will occur.
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Since hiring Aaron, we have been able to make great strides with the nursery property and are looking forward to what 2026 brings!
Nursery Manager Aaron Hesse
Missisquoi River Basin Association and Ironwood Nursery are fortunate enough to have Aaron Hesse as our Nursery Manager! Aaron is responsible for building the native tree and shrub nursery, working with stakeholders to develop infrastructure, plan business operations and oversee the day-to-day operations of the nursery. Originally from Nebraska, Aaron has lived in many places around the world and moved to Westfield, Vermont in 2022. You can often find Aaron at the nursery with his dog Simone by his side!
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Aaron can be reached via email: aaron@mrbavt.com
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Why Ironwood?
The ironwood tree, often known as the Eastern Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), is a slow-growing, small-to-medium understory tree, native to Vermont. It is known for its incredibly dense, hard wood and shreddy, cat-scratched bark. Often found in dry, rocky woodlands, it is a hardy, shade-tolerant species with high ecological value, providing food for birds and wildlife. The ironwood tree is an important native understory species in northern hardwood forests. Ironwood Nursery will feature only trees and shrubs native to the Missisquoi region.
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MRBA staff choose to name our nursery after this tree as it was one of the first trees identified on the property. Additionally, these trees are well designed for conservation work in Vermont as it thrives in dry to moist, well-drained soils and serves as a crucial, non-preferred browse species for white-tailed deer.
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The Jay Branch of the Missisquoi River flows along side the property line and is an important feature of the nursery. Being directly on the Jay Branch means the property lies in the floodplain of the Jay Branch and is a significant wetland; the wetland functions of flood protection, water purification, groundwater recharge, and wildlife habitat provide great value to the community and the region.
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Located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, Ironwood Nursery will provide a vital resource to the community as a space for gathering, learning, and growing our natural spaces.
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If you would like to support Ironwood Nursery:
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"This product has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Assistance Agreement LC#4N00A01022 to NEIWPCC. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the U.S. EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of any products, services or enterprises mentioned in this document."