Our Origins and Mission

Our Mission

At WolfKey Native Plant Nursery, our mission is to reconnect people to the Mojave Desert by making native plants, education, and ecological empowerment accessible to all.

We believe that the path to a greener future begins with the soil beneath our feet. Through every plant we grow and every workshop we offer, we aim to:

Expand access to native Mojave plants
Provide educational resources that highlight the uses, beauty, and resilience of desert flora
Inspire a community-led movement toward sustainable landscaping, cooler cities, and thriving pollinator pathways

Together, we’re cultivating not just gardens, but a legacy of resilience for future generations.

Our Roots

WolfKey began with a simple question:
"What if every yard in Las Vegas could be a sanctuary—for people, pollinators, and the planet?"

Co-founded by Lydia Wolfe and Anthony Chavez, the nursery was built on the idea that native plants aren’t just for scientists or landscapers—they belong to all of us. Frustrated by the lack of locally available native flora and inspired by the potential of urban greening, we set out to change what’s possible in the Mojave.

Our name, WolfKey, reflects our belief that unlocking the wisdom of native habitats is key to restoring balance and beauty in our desert communities.

Our Sister Org: Alchemical Opus Foundation

About Our Founders

Lydia Wolfe

Co-Founder | WolfKey Native Plant Nursery

Hey there, I’m Lydia! As a lifelong student of the land, my roots run deep in Mojave plants, seeds, and the ways they connect us to community, memory, and meaning. I'm fascinated by the intersection of why humans are drawn to plants and how that love shapes our neighborhoods, ecosystems, and future.

With a background in Anthropology, Archaeology, Ethnobotany, and Community Activation, my work is grounded in both academic curiosity and hands-in-the-soil experience. Over the past four years, I’ve served the Las Vegas community through roles that reflect care, creativity, and cultural reclamation.

I first branched out as a Client Advocate with The Cupcake Girls, supporting individuals with compassion and dignity. From there, I joined Indigenous AF, where I helped bridge community, art, and sovereignty — amplifying Native voices through cultural events and creative platforms. Most recently, I spent over two years with Get Outdoors Nevada, leading urban conservation efforts, engaging volunteers, and teaching youth about the beauty and brilliance of the Mojave Desert.

Now, with WolfKey Native Plant Nursery, I’m weaving all of those experiences into a new chapter — one rooted in justice, sustainability, and love for the land. I co-lead this journey with my life partner and fellow co-founder, Tony Chavez, as we grow toward a greener, more connected future together.

Anthony Chavez a.k.a. Tony

Co-Founder | WolfKey Native Plant Nursery

Hey there, I’m Tony! I am passionate advocate for ecological restoration and cultural preservation in Southern Nevada.

With a background in environmental innovation and community leadership, I am committed to rewilding urban spaces through native plants and sustainable landscaping. The work I do bridges science, ancestral knowledge, and grassroots action to help reconnect people with the land.

As a desert native myself, I believe in restoring balance by empowering communities to grow with intention—from root to canopy.