Turning local farmland into native forests to save our bees, our soil, and our future

GroWilderness is an environmental startup revitalizing exhausted U.S. farmland by transforming monocrop fields into thriving native landscapes.

of US corn grown is turned unnecessarily into ethanol

million acres of US farmland is being depleted to grow ethanol

30 1/3

50%

of all native bee species in North America are in active decline according to the Center for Biological Diversity

What we do

Restoring Life: We build the specific habitats native bees need to survive.
Healing the Land: Our forests naturally filter water, protect against flooding, rebuild topsoil, and capture carbon.
Strengthening the Local Economy: By removing low-yield acreage from the market, we increase the value of prime agricultural land.

We are creating maximal impact by retiring marginal land.

At GroWilderness, we reclaim overworked, single-crop farmland and restore it to its natural state. By replacing chemical-heavy monocultures with thriving native ecosystems, we’re building a landscape that works.

Why it matters

Soil is a finite resource with a limited number of productive cycles, yet we are wasting that vitality on corn for ethanol. This massive expansion of farmland erases natural habitats and creates a crisis for the pollinators responsible for our food security. Beyond the ecological toll, this unnecessary over-production puts downward pressure on the value of all farmland. We are essentially sacrificing the long-term health and economic worth of our land for a short-term industrial byproduct.

Through our work, GroWilderness can:

Safeguard Land Value

Protect Local Watersheds

Our model reduces the pressure of over-production. By restoring land to its natural state, we preserve its long-term economic worth and protect the value of the surrounding agricultural community.

Native forests act as natural filters. Restoring this land reduces industrial runoff and helps stabilize the water table, protecting local communities from flooding and climate stress.

Cultivate Biodiversity

Strengthen Community Assets

We bridge the gap between fragmented wild spaces. Planting native trees creates a resilient ecosystem that supports everything from migratory birds to the microorganisms beneath the soil.

Restoration turns underused land into a permanent biological asset. We create thriving natural spaces that foster local pride and ensure a healthier, more beautiful environment for generations to come.

Restore Pollinator Habitat

Revitalize Soil Health

We replace "green deserts" of monoculture corn with native trees and wildflowers. These restored habitats provide the essential forage and nesting grounds needed to reverse the crisis facing our bees.

By transitioning land away from industrial cycles, we allow the soil to regenerate. Rested land rebuilds its organic matter, restoring the finite biological vitality that intensive farming exhausts.

Hurlock, MD Project

The GroWilderness Ledger

This list represents our Founding Stewards—the individuals and organizations who have directly funded the conversion of cornfields into native forests.

By listing our supporters publicly, we ensure total transparency: every dollar goes straight to the dirt. Every contribution is tied to a specific acre, and every acre is accounted for.

Montessori Children’s Academy

Anonymous

Cleveland Park, Washington, DC

Clinton Township, MI