Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Keeler.
Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I’ve always loved interacting with nature. As a kid I could usually be found running around the woods, catching minnows in a creek, collecting interesting rocks, or catching lightening bugs in my hands. Not much has changed since my early days in nature. Today, I can still be found doing the same things with the major difference being that I now have a deeper understanding of the natural world and a drive to improve and protect it.
Growing up, my family had a camper at a campground in Granville, Ohio. We spent almost every weekend there from April through October from the time I was born until I was in high school and it was at this campground that I fell in love with nature, made lifelong friends, and even met the girl I would fall in love with and eventually marry.
My fond memories of my early days camping is what eventually inspired me to pursue a degree in Natural Resource Management from the Ohio State University. During my studies, I discovered the field of ecosystem restoration. I learned how healthy ecosystems function and how to work with failing ecosystems overrun and burdened with invasive species, the effects of development, and poor land management practices.
For the last few years I have worked for Lazy River at Granville campground, the very campground I grew up camping at. My employment there has allowed me to put what I’ve learned into action by completing various ecosystem restoration projects, running educational programs, and designing and maintaining Landscapes.
At some point, I noticed a trend emerging of people asking me for advice about what to plant and where to plant it, or questions about issues they are having on their own property. I can’t tell you if I ever had a single “Aha!” moment but I knew I enjoyed educating people on native plants, pollinators, and healthy ecosystems. I also knew that I wanted to make a difference in my community. From there, Ohio Native Concepts LLC was born.
Today, I educate property owners all over Ohio on native landscaping, invasive species management, and ecosystem restoration. I’ve had the pleasure of consulting on and designing native landscapes for customers from all over Ohio. I’ve designed gardens, meadows, rain gardens, woodlands, and more for everything from small urban lots to properties over 100 acres.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
When I think back to when my wife and I first got married in 2014, I am still in disbelief that today we are both doing what we love. We were newly married, working to support ourselves, and both going to school at the same time. We worked hard to support each other. Sometimes it took me working full time and taking classes part-time, other times it meant Dani had to work part-time while also enrolled in a full-time nursing program. It wasn’t easy but I think it has helped us appreciate where we are today even more.
When I announced that I was starting Ohio Native Concepts last year, I was met with overwhelming support from everyone around me. I could not ask for a more supportive group of friends, family, and customers. Most of all, my wife Dani has never doubted me and has done everything she can to support me while I build my business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Ohio Native Concepts mission is to help homeowners, business owners, and land owners manage their property as part of the ecosystem. We focus on introducing plants native to your area that will benefit our native pollinators and create wildlife habitat. We think that managing your property like an ecosystem can be as beautiful as it is important and we want to help you accomplish that.
Ohio Native Concepts LLC offers consultations and designs for native landscaping, invasive species management, and ecosystem restoration. Our consultations start with a 1-2 hr meeting on the customer’s property where I speak with them about their ideas, goals, and issues. After our meeting, clients receive a highly detailed and personalized portfolio full of management recommendations, plant species suggestions, further resources, and instructions. We also offer digital designs that help customers visualize their ideas and goals even more.
I think what sets us apart from other companies is that our main focus is customer education. I want all of my clients to walk away feeling informed and inspired to take action on their own land and help create a more sustainable, and beautiful environment. I truly believe that if enough people are educated and willing to make small changes to their landscape, we can help solve many of the environmental issues we are facing today.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I often find that my customers know they want to garden or landscape for wildlife but they don’t know where to start or they are overwhelmed with the amount of information available. That’s where I believe my consultation and design services really help. I give you everything you need to know to manage invasive Species, pick out native plants, find native plants, and put all this information together so you can create the ecological oasis of your dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: Ohionativeconceptsllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohio_native_concepts_llc/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/105956035240843/
