We are living, working, growing, and learning on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Huron-Wendat peoples. We honor the enduring connection of these communities to the land, water, and all living things, recognizing their knowledge as essential to understanding and preserving biodiversity. As stewards of this space, we are committed to upholding these values. Through our dedication to native plants, we strive to nurture ecosystems and foster a relationship with the land grounded in care, respect, and reciprocity.

With gratitude, we acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of Indigenous Peoples, whose traditional wisdom and resilience inspire us to grow with intention and respect for all life, conscious of our place within the natural order.

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Natural Themes is a business rooted in the principle of “Nature knows best”.

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The native plant nursery, started in 2006 by Bea Heissler, is in a natural setting featuring meadow, woodland, and wetland. Bea Heissler is now joined by her daughter Maya Navrot. Together, they use their knowledge of the natural environment to help people understand local ecology and the importance of incorporating native plants into our gardens, yards, and properties.

Species and availability of native plants are dependent on seed collection, plant propagation, and availability of plant materials from suppliers. Most plants are propagated on site from seeds, by division, or cuttings. Some are removed locally from areas being developed, trampled or cultivated. No plants are taken from the wild.

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Meet the Team

Our roots run deep on the family farm in Frankford, just north of Trenton, Ontario. As our mother — also a grandmother and great-grandmother — has always said, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” a reminder of our enduring connection to the land and to one another.

Bea Heissler established a plant nursery on her farm, Natural Themes Farms, in 2006 alongside organically grown produce, following an early retirement from her career as an Outdoor Educator. Recognizing how difficult it was to source plants native to this region, Bea began researching, seed collecting, and growing native species — work that grew into a lifelong passion for working the soil, restoring ecosystems, and educating others. Dan, Bea’s husband, supported (and continues to support) the nursery through administration and sales, helping the operation run smoothly.

In 2025, Bea made the decision to step away from growing native plants, and at that time the native plant work continued under a new name and direction.

Natural Themes Native Plant Nursery & Ecological Services (Natural Themes) was founded and is operated by Maya Navrot, Bea’s daughter. Maya has been involved in native plant work on the farm for many years and formally began offering native plants, ecological services, and restoration-focused growing under the Natural Themes name. Maya leads seed collection, propagation, sales, marketing, and project coordination. Bea and Dan continue to support the work of the Nursery alongside Maya.

With a background spanning two decades in public service and non-profits, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences & Biology, Maya brings experience in land stewardship, environmental education, and ecological restoration. Natural Themes offers native plants, consultations, site planning, and planting services for projects ranging from home gardens to larger restoration efforts. Maya is also a Planting Delivery Agent for Forests Canada’s subsidized large-scale tree planting program.

Maia Heissler, Bea’s sister and Maya’s aunt, has long been an important contributor to the work, assisting with local seed collection, transplanting, and stock preparation. Her deep knowledge of the land is also reflected in her own business, Down-To-Earth Creations, where she creates nature-inspired gifts rooted in the woods.

Together, our work reflects generations of care for the land — evolving over time while staying grounded in the same values of stewardship, learning, and respect for nature.

Join us in working with native plants and restoring the land, one site at a time.

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