Native plants and low maintenance gardening practices can reduce the need for water, fertilizer and pesticides as well as reduce the effects of climate change. Native plants also support pollinators, beneficial insects and other wildlife species and are vital to preserving biodiversity. To support these efforts, Midwest Natural Garden nursery was established in 2011.
Walter Stephens founded The Natural Garden in 1953 after rescuing a variety of native species from being destroyed by a development project. Nearly 60 years later, IM电竞官网下载 purchased the property and has kept the integrity of the local ecotype plants and the original native stock plants and seed beds. In 2016, conservation work and site development began under the consultation of Restoration Ecologist Jens Jensen from Jensen Ecology. Sections of the 29-acre site were graded and a series of step pools installed to reduce erosion and direct stormwater into the pond. A vegetative bioswale and wetland area were added to capture sediment and “clean” the water for irrigation use. A selection of native plugs and prairie seed mix was planted on the pond’s edge for pollinators. In 2017, controlled burns were begun to assist in managing invasives and non-natives. We continue to restore on-site, existing natural areas and develop new ones. Habitats include woodland, prairie, wetland, and a stream restoration.
